STORY
A Middlesbrough man who raped two women in separate assaults on the same night has had his sentence increased from 12 to 17 years, after senior judges ruled the original punishment was too lenient. Haider Ali, 38, attacked his first victim on 7 September 2024 in Stockton, after following her and dragging her behind a disused building. The assault, which lasted nearly an hour, left the woman traumatised and physically injured. Just hours later, Ali struck again, this time targeting a pregnant woman on Yarm Road. Both attacks were captured on CCTV, with footage later used to identify him as he fled the scenes.
In March 2025, Ali was sentenced at Teesside Crown Court to an extended 12-year sentence, including 10 years in custody and two on licence. However, the Solicitor General Lucy Rigby KC MP referred the case to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme, arguing that the sentence failed to reflect the gravity of the crimes. The Court of Appeal agreed, and on 17 June 2025, Ali’s sentence was increased to a 17-year extended term, made up of 15 years in prison and a further two on licence. The judges noted that the attacks were not only extremely serious but had taken place within a short space of time, showing a clear pattern of predatory behaviour.
One of the victims, whose statement was read in court, said the experience left her in constant fear, unable to live normally and plagued by anxiety. The psychological harm caused was described as severe and ongoing. The Solicitor General welcomed the decision, calling it a “truly horrific case” and praising the victims for their bravery in coming forward. She said the new sentence better reflected the seriousness of Ali’s actions and the devastating impact they had caused.