Suleman Mukaish, from Pakistan, was sentenced at Hove Crown Court today (June 23) to 11 years in prison for attacking the woman on March 11 in the Lyndhurst Road car park in Worthing.
The court heard on the evening of the attack, the victim had attended Worthing Hospital “intoxicated, confused and unsteady on her feet” and then left.
Prosecutor Chetna Patel said she was grabbed by the arm by the defendant and taken to the car park opposite the hospital.
She was attempting to hold on to the wall to stop him before she was forced on to the bonnet of a car and raped, the prosecutor said.
The victim was left there and found by a member of the public a short time later, and said she had been raped.
The police were called and the woman was able to identify the car where she was attacked, where hand and fingerprints were found.
Mukaish, 27, a computer science student living in Sussex on a two-year visa, pleaded guilty to rape.
Her Honour Judge Christine Henson KC, sentencing at Lewes Crown Court in Hove, said: “She was at her most vulnerable when you – a complete stranger – raped her over the bonnet of a car.
“The impact psychologically on her has been immense.
“She expresses suicidal thoughts and has been harming herself.
“You took advantage of her for your own sexual gratification.”
The court was told that Mukaish had been arrested at Gatwick Airport with a one-way ticket to Pakistan.
Despite this, he claimed that he intended to return to the UK for his studies.
Judge Henson KC said: “You present a high risk of serious harm to women.
“You continue to appear to have little insight into your behaviour.
“I am unable to understand when you will not present a significant risk.”
She sentenced Mukaish to eight years and three months in prison, with a three-year extension for dangerousness.
He will serve two-thirds of the custodial sentence before becoming eligible for parole.
Detective Superintendent Andrew Harbour of Sussex Police said: “This has been a complex and meticulous investigation, and officers have been determined to get justice for the victim.
“I would like to commend the victim for her bravery throughout the investigation, and also thank the witnesses and members of the public who both assisted her and came forward with crucial information for our investigation.
“This has enabled us to present strong evidence in court, and we are pleased that the defendant has entered a guilty plea to the charge in light of the evidence we have gathered.”
Det Supt Harbour added: “Tackling violence against women and girls is a priority for Sussex Police.”
He said: “We remain committed to improving our service to women and girls in Sussex, working with our partners to prevent crime in the first place, provide support to victims and catch perpetrators.”
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