Cardiff Rapist Jailed After Smiling During Attack

A man who smiled as he attacked his victim and later tried to intimidate her into withdrawing her complaint has been sentenced to eight years in prison. ⚖️

Rasegar Elisai Sardari, 36, of Cardiff, was “determined to have sex” with his victim “whatever her wishes”. The court heard he removed his clothes and forcefully removed those of his victim before forcing her to kiss him as she repeatedly told him she did not want to have sex with him and attempted to resist his advances.

At a sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Monday, it was revealed Sardari made a threat to kill the victim, at which point she “submitted” to the attack.

During sentencing, Judge Daniel Williams said: “You digitally penetrated her and you raped her. You ignored her initial struggles and pleas and then you ignored her sobbing lifelessly as you continued.

“You appeared to be enjoying what you were doing and were smiling. You manhandled (the victim) in order to carry out the rape and she was left with extensive bruising.

“Casually, once you had raped her, [you] showered and left. She contacted the police and you were arrested and bailed.”

While on bail, Sardari made multiple attempts to contact the victim, both personally and via a third party.

Judge Williams added: “You were trying to persuade her to feel sympathy for you and to withdraw the allegation.

“The attempt was to dissuade from pursuing the rape allegation because of what you had done to her.”

Sardari was found guilty of rape and assault by penetration following a trial. He pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice.

The court heard he was of previous good character. In mitigation, his barrister Sol Hartley said all of his client’s good work has been “undone” by this offence, adding that the prison sentence will have an effect on his wife and children, who he will not see for the foreseeable future.

Judge Williams sentenced Sardari to a total of eight years imprisonment, of which he will serve around two thirds before being released on licence. He was also made subject to a restraining order for 10 years and sex offender notification requirements. 🔒