Man jailed for drugging and raping teenage girl in Accrington

A dangerous sexual predator who drugged and raped a teenager in Accrington has been given a further prison sentence.

Mohammed Shafiq (pictured), 44, was jailed for 11 years in 2020 after being found guilty of raping a woman whilst threatening her with a knife.

Having seen media coverage of that case, the Accrington victim contacted our officers to say that Shafiq had drugged and raped her when she was 17.

Shafiq initially denied the offence, falsely claiming that he had been in a relationship with his victim and he had ended it when she became possessive of him.

He encouraged a family member from prison to repeat that lie to police.

Shafiq, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to rape and perverting the course of justice. He was jailed for eight years at Preston Crown Court today (June 29) with a further eight on extended licence after a Judge deemed him to be a dangerous offender.

He was previously ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.

DS David Tait, who led the investigation, said: “Shafiq is a sexual predator who presents a very real danger to women by his perverted and warped views towards them.

“I am pleased by the sentence handed down to him by the court, which reflects the seriousness of his offending.

“I want to praise the bravery of the victim. She has had to live with the impact of what the Shafiq did to her for many years and I am pleased we have now been able to achieve some form of justice for her.

“I hope the outcome of this case will encourage other victims to come forward, knowing they will be believed, listened to and that we will do everything in our power to put them before the courts.” Hear all the latest news from across Lancashire on the hour, every hour, on 97.4FM, DAB, at rockfm.co.uk, and on the Rock FM app.