A man who raped an unconscious woman in Sheffield city centre while ignoring repeated pleas from four teenage girls to stop has been sentenced to nine years in prison.
Ansar Younis, 41, of Sheffield, carried out the attack at around 1am on September 20 last year in the city centre. The victim was unconscious and unable to consent during the assault.
According to South Yorkshire Police, four girls who witnessed the attack confronted Younis and urged him to stop
When he ignored their pleas, they began recording the incident on their phones, capturing crucial evidence that would later prove instrumental in securing his conviction.
Emergency services were alerted after witnesses contacted the ambulance service, which then notified police. The victim was taken to hospital, where she received treatment for her injuries and forensic evidence was collected.
The girls who filmed the assault later identified Younis to investigators. He was subsequently arrested, charged, and brought before Sheffield Crown Court.
Following a trial in March, Younis was found guilty of rape. He was sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court on July 2 to nine years’ imprisonment.
Detective Constable Sophie Windle, the officer leading the investigation, described the offence as “a horrific attack against a woman who did not and could not consent.”
Rather than focusing solely on the offender, Windle praised the courage of the four girls whose actions helped secure justice.
“I would like to recognise the bravery of the four girls who intervened to record the offence, providing evidence that was absolutely instrumental at trial,” she said.
Windle also acknowledged that Sheffield District Commander Jamie Henderson had thanked the girls following the incident, adding her own appreciation now that the case had concluded.
“These girls were upstanders, not bystanders. As soon as they realised what was happening they stepped in and they have helped put a rapist behind bars.”
Police said the case highlights the importance of bystander intervention and the vital role witnesses can play in helping bring offenders to justice while supporting victims of serious sexual offences.