Afghan man pleads guilty to rape, kidnap days after sexual assault in Oxfordshire

Najeebullah Arab, a 39-year-old Afghan national, has pleaded guilty to kidnapping, rape and sexual assault in two separate attacks on women in Oxfordshire earlier this year, a UK court heard.Arab, who lives on Mayfield Avenue in Grove, entered the guilty pleas at Oxford Crown Court on Thursday. He will be sentenced at a later date.

Two separate attacks in January

According to prosecutors, the first incident occurred on January 21 in Grove, when a woman in her late twenties was approached by Arab while walking along Main Street at around 9.30pm.After a brief interaction, the woman continued walking, but Arab followed her and sexually assaulted her, police said.

Just six days later, a second and more serious attack took place in nearby Wantage.On January 27, a woman in her late teens was walking alone at about 11.15pm when Arab approached her on a bicycle along Grove Road. After briefly speaking to her, he led her towards a secluded area behind Mably Way, where he raped and kidnapped her, according to investigators.The court heard he dragged the victim from an alleyway into a nearby field before carrying out the attack.

Arrest and charges

Officers from Thames Valley Police arrested Arab on January 30, and he was formally charged two days later.He initially pleaded not guilty to the kidnapping charge but later admitted to all offences, including rape, kidnapping and two counts of sexual assault.

Police praise victims’ courage

Detective Chief Inspector Stuart May praised the victims for coming forward.“Firstly, I want to acknowledge the victims in this case for the incredible courage they’ve shown in coming forward,” he said.“Thames Valley Police take reports of sexual offences extremely seriously, especially those involving violence against women and girls.”He added that the guilty plea reflected the strength of the evidence gathered by investigators.“Faced with the weight of that evidence, he had no option but to admit what he had done,” May said.

Sentencing to take place later

Arab remains in custody and will be sentenced at a later hearing at Oxford Crown Court.Police said they remain committed to protecting the public and ensuring offenders responsible for violent crimes against women are brought to justice.