A vile rapist who attacked a 14-year-old schoolgirl more than two decades ago in Bradford has finally been locked up. Abdul Qayum, 53, was sentenced to 14 years in jail after new forensic evidence tied him to the horrific 2004 crime.
How He Lured His Victim
Back in June 2004, Qayum approached the teenager while a passenger in a car. After pressuring her to get in, he and a friend gave the girl cannabis and drove her to Qayum’s flat on Jacob Street. There, she was given alcohol and put to bed by Qayum’s friend when she felt unwell. But horrors soon followed. Qayum, then aged 31, stormed into the bedroom, shouting and swearing before raping the terrified girl. He tried to stop her escaping, but she managed to call the police and flee the flat.
Justice Delayed, Not Denied
Qayum was arrested on the spot and interviewed, but denied the attack. His friend was cleared, and due to limited evidence at the time, Qayum was released on bail and later freed without charge. Fast forward to June 2023. Thanks to Operation Recall, a Major Investigation Review Team unit using cutting-edge DNA technology, forensic scientists discovered male DNA on the victim’s swabs matching Qayum. He was re-arrested, charged in July 2024, and convicted after a trial at Bradford Crown Court. He now faces 14 years behind bars and must sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.
Victim Speaks Out
“I was a 14-year-old child, and you had no right to take away my happy life. No sentence can undo the suffering, but I’m relieved justice has finally been done,”
The victim told the court. “It’s taken 22 years while you lived a normal life. I was the one serving a sentence for the damage you caused. The pain will never leave me, but I hope to heal now with some closure.” Detective Sergeant Richard Ord said: “Qayum preyed on a vulnerable young girl and denied his crime at the time. Thanks to new forensic science, we could reopen the case and hold him criminally responsible. We hope this conviction brings the victim some comfort after all these years.”
