Man who lured teen on flat-sharing app and raped her sentenced to jail

A man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison after raping and strangling an 18-year-old woman he met through a flatmate-finding app. The court heard that Mirza Begg threatened to kill the victim just hours after meeting her, in what was described as a "calculated trap."

Before the attack, Begg displayed a "menacing" collection of knives, a sword, and bullets at his Birmingham home, where he later raped and sexually assaulted the young woman. She was held against her will until police rescued her after she contacted a friend, Birmingham Crown Court was told.

The 34-year-old, from Coventry Road, Small Heath, was found guilty in September of rape, as well as two counts of assault by penetration, making threats with a bladed weapon, and assault. Evidence showed that he had lured the victim with the promise of offering her a place to live.

The victim, described as "extremely vulnerable," had reached out to Begg via the Roomies app. Begg, who has prior convictions for battery and theft, picked her up in a car borrowed from a relative. He claimed the sexual acts were consensual.

Sentencing, Judge Simon Drew KC emphasized the severity of Beggs crimes, noting that they were "very serious" and involved premeditated targeting of a much younger individual. Begg was ordered to register as a sex offender for life and will serve eight years in custody before potential release on licence.

Author: Connor Blake