Man jailed after raping teenager in a park

Faris Suleiman has been jailed for six years

A 19-year-old man has been jailed for six years after he raped a teenaged girl in a park during a night out.

Faris Suleiman attacked his victim, described as in her late teens, in People's Park in Banbury between 02:30 and 03:30 BST on 30 March this year.

Suleiman, who is from Banbury, was sentenced to six years in prison, with a four-year extended licence period, during a hearing at Oxford Crown Court on Friday.

He was found guilty by majority verdict of one count of rape, following a six-day trial at the same court in September.

Thames Valley Police said the victim had been in the town centre when she left a nightclub with Suleiman in the early hours of the morning.

Suleiman then lured the woman to a secluded area of People's Park, where he raped her, the force said.

Police said the victim had remained with Suleiman following the incident "out of fear", as the pair headed back into the town centre.

The victim rejoined her friends, and told them what had happened.

The force said it was then informed shortly afterwards, with officers stopping Suleiman as he matched the victim's description of her attacker.

Det Con Gemma Kerby, who was the investigating officer, said Sulieman had "preyed on a vulnerable victim on a night out with her friends".

She said the incident had had an "unimaginable impact" on the victim, adding: "I hope that the victim can continue on the road to recovery knowing that Suleiman has been found guilty and jailed as a result of his actions."