Published by Robert L Senior Reporter on Thursday, 1st August 2024, at 18:50hrs
A man who raped three women has today been jailed for his horrific crimes.
In a statement released after sentencing, Lancashire Police said,
“The man in the footage is Nazim Asmal and he is a rapist.
He has today (1st August 2024) been given a sentence at Preston Crown Court for 22 years.
He lured the women into his vehicle as they made their way home from nights out by leading them to believe he was a taxi driver. He then drove them to remote locations before subjecting them to serious sexual assaults.
The first incident happened on the 3rd of October 2021. The victim got into Asmal’s car in Preston city centre. He drove for about ten minutes, raped his victim in the car and then dropped her off back in the city centre. She flagged a member of the public down for help.
The second incident happened on 4th of March 2023. The victim had been on a night out in Darwen and ended up in Asmal’s car. He drove her to a secluded area on the outskirts of Darwen where he then raped her. Asmal managed to get the victims phone number and called her at the start of April. She did not answer the call on that occasion because it came up with ‘no caller ID’.
Asmal called her again on 8th of April 2023 and this time she did answer. The victim recognised the voice as the man who had raped her but did not know his identity. She ended the call after Asmal asked the terrified victim ‘If she wanted to do something?’
Asmal raped his third victim on the same evening he made that call. The victim got into Asmal’s car in Darwen town centre. Driving her towards Bolton, in the opposite direction of her home, Asmal said: “You don’t want to pay for this taxi, do you?”
He stopped in a secluded area and raped her. He then dropped her off at her home address.
We identified Asmal after his black Toyota Yaris was picked up on CCTV cameras.
Asmal, 35, now of no fixed address but formerly Balaclava Street, Blackburn, appeared at Preston Crown Court on in November and pleaded guilty to four counts of rape.
Judge Heather Lloyd deemed Asmal to be a dangerous offender and sentenced him to 17 years in custody with a further five years on extended licence. He was also ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.
In a statement to the court the first victim said: “Although this incident happened to me nearly two years ago, I still live with many of the psychological and emotional impacts, honestly, I believe that my life was changed forever that night. My old life was shattered, and it has been a constant struggle that I don’t think I will ever fully recover from.
“I feel like a part of myself died that night and that makes me overwhelmingly sad and angry.
“Before the incident I was outgoing and enjoyed going out with my friends, I was kind and trusting of people’s good nature.
“I have found that the incident has had a considerable impact on my relationship with friends and family. I have struggled and continue to struggle with Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and anxiety since what’s happened.
This has led to me avoiding social interactions that before I would be happy to attend, withdrawing away from the people I love, and losing an interest in so many things I used to enjoy. I really struggle with being out late at night or when it’s dark as I feel so scared at the prospect of being attacked.
This has been quite debilitating at times as I have had to avoid social interactions for fear of my journey home alone and even has prevented me walking my dogs at night right by my house.”
The second victim said: “I was seeing someone when this happened, but this could not continue after what that man did to me, I really don’t like the thought of getting close to anyone.
“I lie awake at night replaying it all in my head…just last night I could not sleep thinking about it. I was stressed and anxious being at home because he knew where I lived. I did not feel safe there.
“When I go out with my friends I usually drive and don’t drink. I don’t like getting in taxis alone anymore. My lifestyle has had to change which changes the dynamic of my relationships.”
The third victim said: “After the incident in April I have really struggled mentally, physically and emotionally. I have been low; I
have lost weight and feel constantly anxious. I feel lost and out of control, I am scared to be on my own and have a constant feeling of hypervigilance.”
DS Alex Rawsthorn, from our East RASSO Team, said: “I welcome the sentence handed down to Asmal today which reflects the seriousness of his offending and the very real and significant danger he poses to women.
“Asmal deliberately targeted his victims because of their vulnerable state and subjected them to serious sexual harm. Although today’s headlines will quite rightly focus on Asmal’s abhorrent defending, my thoughts are very much with the victims who have been profoundly impacted by his appalling offending. As reflected in their harrowing victim impact statements, all three continue to live with the aftereffects of what Asmal did to them.
“If you or somebody you know has been the victim of a sexual offence I would encourage you to contact the police knowing you will be listened to, believed and that we will do everything we can to put the perpetrator before the courts.”
Report it online via or call 101. If a crime is in progress always call 999.
G2K INCIDENT WATCH 