Aaron Akram, a 27-year-old man from Painswick, Gloucestershire, has had his prison sentence extended after a Court of Appeal hearing. Akram was originally convicted last November of two counts of rape involving the same victim. He was sentenced in December to four years’ imprisonment and issued a 15-year restraining order.
The Crown Prosecution Service, in consultation with the victim and police, referred the sentence to the Attorney General’s office under the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme. The appellate court convened on May 14 in London, where Akram’s sentence was increased to six years and six months.
Evidence presented at trial revealed Akram repeatedly pressured the victim for sexual activity despite her clear refusals, ultimately forcing himself upon her. The victim courageously reported the assaults to a support service before contacting the police.
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The Gloucestershire Constabulary’s Criminal Investigation Department conducted a thorough investigation, which led to the CPS authorizing charges. Following the sentence upgrade, the victim expressed relief and empowerment, stating, “I’m so relieved that the jury saw through Aaron’s lies and believed the truth about what he subjected me to. Being believed means everything to me, and hearing the word ‘guilty’ felt incredibly empowering. Though this process has been hard, I’m glad I trusted it and saw it through.”
Detective Catherine Law praised the victim’s resilience, saying, “Throughout this long and difficult case, the victim has demonstrated remarkable strength and determination. Despite the emotional challenges, she remained courageous. I hope this outcome brings her peace and closure, and her courage serves as an inspiration to other victims.”
Anyone in Gloucestershire affected by sexual offences is encouraged to seek help. Emergency assistance can be accessed by calling 999, while non-emergency reports can be made via 101 or online. Support is also available through partner agencies such as First Light, which offers Independent Sexual Violence Advisors, and the Survivor Pathway, an online resource offering information on sexual violence support across the South West.
No one has to face this alone; help is available regardless of whether a person chooses to engage with the criminal justice system.