A predatory teenager who raped a vulnerable woman after meeting her at a Banbury nightclub has been jailed for six years following a trial at Oxford Crown Court.
Faris Bashir Mohammed Suleiman, 19, of Windrush, Banbury, was sentenced on Friday with an additional four-year extended licence period after a jury found him guilty by majority verdict of one count of rape. The conviction followed a six-day trial in September at the same court.
The attack occurred in the early hours of 30th March this year when Suleiman encountered his victim, a woman in her late teens, at a town centre nightclub. Between 3am and 3.20am, the pair left the venue together before Suleiman deliberately led her to a secluded area of People’s Park.
Thames Valley Police confirmed that Suleiman raped the woman in the isolated section of the public park. Following the horrific assault, the terrified victim remained with her attacker out of fear as they re-entered the town centre together.
Once back amongst crowds, the victim managed to locate her friends and immediately disclosed what had happened. Police were alerted shortly afterwards and swiftly apprehended Suleiman, who matched the detailed description the victim had provided of her attacker.
Suleiman was arrested on the same day and charged the following morning, 31st March. He was remanded in custody throughout the legal proceedings and remained imprisoned until his sentencing.
Detective Constable Gemma Kerby, the investigating officer, delivered a damning assessment of Suleiman’s calculated actions. “Faris Sulieman preyed on a vulnerable victim on a night out with her friends and raped her, which has had an unimaginable impact on her,” she stated.
The detective praised the courage shown by the victim and witnesses throughout the investigation. “I would like to thank the victim and witnesses for their support and engagement during the investigation,” DC Kerby added.
She expressed hope that the conviction and substantial sentence would aid the victim’s recovery. “I hope that the victim can continue on the road to recovery knowing that Suleiman has been found guilty and jailed as a result of his actions.”
Thames Valley Police emphasised their unwavering commitment to pursuing sexual offence perpetrators. “We will always work relentlessly to bring those who cause harm to others to justice and we encourage any sexual offence victims to report what’s happened to police,” DC Kerby said.
The victim has been supported by specially trained officers throughout the ordeal, from the immediate aftermath through the court proceedings and beyond.
People’s Park, located in central Banbury, was cordoned off by police on the morning following the attack as forensic teams conducted a thorough investigation of the scene. The incident prompted an increased police presence in the area whilst enquiries continued.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about violence against women and girls in Oxfordshire. Recent Thames Valley Police statistics show the force has increased its charge rate for rape offences by 17.4 per cent and for other sexual offences by 13.6 per cent compared to previous years, demonstrating enhanced efforts to bring perpetrators to justice.
Banbury has experienced elevated crime rates compared to other Oxfordshire towns. The most recent data shows violence and sexual offences represent the most common crime category in the area, with 2,353 such offences recorded in 2025, giving a crime rate of 36 per 1,000 people.
The town’s overall crime rate stands at 79 crimes per 1,000 people, approximately 47 per cent higher than Oxfordshire’s overall rate and 25 per cent higher than the South East regional average. This makes Banbury the most dangerous medium-sized town in Oxfordshire and places it amongst the top 20 most dangerous locations across the county’s 312 towns, villages and cities.
Sexual assault cases can have devastating and long-lasting impacts on victims. The conviction of Suleiman demonstrates that reporting such crimes to police can lead to successful prosecutions, even when the perpetrator is unknown to authorities initially.
The six-year custodial sentence, combined with the four-year extended licence period, means Suleiman will face a decade of restrictions and monitoring. The extended licence period allows authorities to recall him to prison if he breaches conditions following his eventual release.
During the extended licence, Suleiman will be subject to stringent conditions including restrictions on his movements, requirements to maintain contact with probation services, and potential electronic monitoring. Any breach of these conditions could result in immediate return to custody.
Thames Valley Police continue to urge anyone who has experienced sexual violence to come forward and report incidents. The force maintains dedicated teams trained specifically to support victims of such crimes with sensitivity and professionalism.
Victims of rape and sexual assault can access support through numerous charities and organisations specialising in assisting those affected by sexual violence. Thames Valley Police’s website provides comprehensive information on reporting procedures and available support services.
The successful prosecution sends a clear message that predatory behaviour targeting vulnerable individuals on nights out will be met with serious consequences. Police emphasised that perpetrators cannot rely on victims being too frightened to report crimes or cooperate with investigations.
For Suleiman, his actions on that March morning have resulted in the loss of his freedom during what should have been formative years of his life. The conviction will also result in mandatory registration on the sex offenders register, imposing lifelong restrictions on his activities and movements.
The victim’s bravery in reporting the attack immediately and subsequently testifying during the trial proved instrumental in securing the conviction and ensuring her attacker faced justice.
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