Rameen Farooqy and Pankaj Bangarh, both sentenced to a total of eight years in prison for attempted rape and sexual assault, have been ordered to register as sex offenders for life.

The two men were found guilty following a trial at Southampton Crown Court earlier this year. Farooqy, 25, from Harrow, and Bangarh, 27, from Hayes, were caught on camera laughing as they attacked their unconscious victim in the Winston Hotel in August 2018. The victim, who was unaware of the assault, suffered a traumatic ordeal.

Both Farooqy and Bangarh have been issued with an indefinite restraining order prohibiting them from contacting their victim. Hampshire Police are urging victims of rape and sexual assault to come forward and report any incidents, emphasizing their commitment to supporting survivors.

Detective Constable Sue Hampton from Operation Amberstone said: "This was undoubtedly a traumatic ordeal for the woman, and I commend her courage and bravery in coming forward and reporting what happened to her. Her strength throughout the trial and criminal justice process is truly inspiring."

Hampton further stated: "We understand the difficulty of reporting incidents of this nature, but with her help, we have successfully brought these two men to justice. This case demonstrates Hampshire Constabulary's unwavering commitment to supporting survivors of rape and sexual assault, identifying offenders, and bringing them to court."

She highlighted the crucial partnership with the Independent Sexual Violence Advocate (ISVA) Service, Yellow Door, which provides expert support to victims throughout investigations. Hampton acknowledged the significant assistance the ISVA assigned to the victim provided, emphasizing their pride in collaborating with such supportive agencies.

The authorities hope that this conviction and the strong partnership with support organizations will encourage victims to come forward and report their experiences, enabling the identification of offenders and preventing future offenses.