'Dangerous sexual predator' jailed for raping woman on top deck of bus days after sexually assaulting another teen on bus

By Flaminia Luck

A "dangerous sexual predator" has been jailed for raping a woman on the top deck of a bus.

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Rahmat Qalander, 23, targeted the woman on the X43 bus from Burnley to Manchester on February 1.

He sat next to his victim, in her 20s and with a number of vulnerabilities, upstairs before forcing her to go to the back of the bus with him where he raped her.

He then got off the bus in Manchester where the victim reported what happened to the driver and police were called.

Following enquiries, Qalander was identified, arrested and charged with the rape.

He was also charged with a second sexual assault on a 16-year-old girl - which took place on a bus in Nelson on February 6th.

At Preston Crown Court, Qalander was classed as a dangerous offender by the judge.

He was told he must serve two thirds of the ten-year sentence before he is released.

He will then be on licence for a further three years.

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'Dangerous offender'

Temp Det Chief Insp Sarah Denson, of East CID, said: “Qalander is clearly a dangerous sexual predator who targeted lone and vulnerable young women to carry out his offending.

“I would like to commend the victims in this case for their bravery in disclosing what happened to them and for having the courage to go through the court process.

"I am pleased that justice has been served for them and for the wider community who will be protected from this dangerous offender for many years.”