"You are unquestionably a dangerous offender.”
Umar Hamid, aged 29, previously of Darwen, Blackburn, was jailed for 22 years after he subjected his victim to years of violence and sexual abuse.
His reign of terror began when the woman was 18-years-old and was sustained over a 14-year period.
He had used weapons such as guns and a machete during his repeated assaults on the woman.
The victim was stabbed with a serrated knife and car keys on other occasions.
The majority of the offending took place between 2006 and 2013 but resurfaced in the spring of 2020 when the now 32-year-old woman alerted the police.
In May 2020, Hamid was arrested and subsequently convicted of 11 offences including rape, assault and firearms offences.
Preston Crown Court heard the offences were committed at addresses in Burnley and Blackburn.
During mitigation, it was heard how letters and references written on behalf of Hamid described him as a “different person to the one who sat before the court”.
To friends and family, Hamid’s convictions appeared “totally out of character”.
Judge David Potter said:
“Rarely has this court seen a more forceful description of an exceptionally dangerous man.
“You have established criminal links within prison and have committed serious crimes with knives and firearms.
“I have read letters and I have no doubt that you can appear jovial, engaging, generous and possibly even charismatic – it was those factors that allowed you to exert influence on your victim.
“This court takes a different view of your character to that portrayed in the letters.
“You are assessed as a being of a high risk of committing further sexual offences and very high risk of further offences of violence.
“You are unquestionably a dangerous offender.”
At Burnley Crown Court, Hamid was sentenced to 17 years in custody followed by a further five on licence.
Lancashire Telegraph reported that Hamid also received a lifetime restraining order, banning him from contacting the woman. He will be subject to registration on the sex offenders’ register for life.
Detective Inspector Tom Edmondson, of Lancashire Police, said:
“Hamid subjected his victim to an ordeal of physical and sexual abuse over many years and I would like to once again pay tribute to her for having the courage to come forward and speak to us about what happened to her and for supporting the court process.
“I hope that today’s sentence will give some consolation to the victim in this case and confidence to others who may be suffering abuse that they can come forward and report to Lancashire Police safe in the knowledge that we will investigate with professionalism and sensitivity with the aim of both safeguarding victims and putting offenders behind bars.”
Brett Gerrity, of the CPS, added:
“Umar Hamid is a bully who used the most horrendous physical and sexual violence towards a woman in order to control her.”
“Throughout the case, he sought to challenge the victim’s account from when he was arrested through to the trial.
“He thought he was untouchable due to the fear that he has placed her under, but it is thanks to her immense courage that the CPS in partnership with the police were able to build and present a strong case against him.
“The jury were clear as to who they believed was telling the truth in returning unanimous guilty verdicts.
“This significant sentence imposed by the court today reflects the prolonged suffering he subjected the victim to and the wider threat that he poses to the community.
“The victim can sleep safely tonight in the knowledge that he cannot perpetrate more violence upon her and that he has been brought to justice.”
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