‘Dangerous predator’ from Abertillery jailed for rape

A "dangerous predator" who filmed himself sexually assaulting a woman in her own bedroom has been jailed for nine years.

Anurag Sharma, 21, from Abertillery, was found guilty of rape, assault by penetration and sexual assault following a trial at Cardiff Crown Court. The offences took place last summer.

After attacking his victim, Sharma fled to France in the back of a lorry while on bail. He was arrested at Dover when he attempted to return to the UK undetected.

In a powerful victim impact statement, the woman described Sharma as a "dangerous predator" and her ordeal as "horrific". She told him: "You no longer have power over me and I'm not your victim. I have survived."

Prosecuting barrister Matthew Cobbe said the victim was vulnerable and that Sharma had planned his attack.

Sharma's defense lawyer, Dale Beeson, pleaded for mercy, stating that Sharma had arrived in the UK from India to live with his family, who come from a good background and had high expectations for him.

Mr. Beeson said Sharma had been deeply in love with a woman he was dating, but she moved to Canada for her education. He added that Sharma understood the severity of his actions and the consequences they would have on his life, including deportation after serving his sentence.

Recorder Paul Hartley-Davies sentenced Sharma to nine years in prison and told him he would serve two-thirds of that time behind bars before being released on licence.

Sharma will be required to register as a sex offender for life. The judge commended the victim for her courage.