In 2019, the Offender Database recorded that Orhan Kibar, 43, was jailed for 13 years for the rape and false imprisonment of two teenage friends in South Belfast. On appearing at court in September 2019, the defendant, originally from Turkey, was sentenced for the attacks carried out in his flat at Russell Court on Claremont Street. It was reported that Kibar, who had lived in Northern Ireland since 2005, targeted the women, aged 18 and 19, after meeting them near the Queen’s University students’ union in November 2017.
The investigation established the violent and opportunistic nature of Kibar’s conduct. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) reported that Kibar persuaded the vulnerable teenagers to return to his apartment with the clear intention of forcing them into sexual intercourse. The prosecution reported that Kibar raped the 18-year-old in a bathroom, falsely imprisoning her, and shortly after the first victim managed to flee, he attacked her sleeping 19-year-old friend, breaking her finger during a struggle before raping her as well.
Judicial Findings and Investigative Detail
The court reported that the victims showed significant courage and resourcefulness to bring Kibar to justice. Belfast Crown Court heard how the first teenager escaped the flat in a distressed state without her phone or coat, alerting a friend and the police on the street. The investigation established that as police arrived at the block of flats, they encountered the second victim fleeing the apartment; she was able to point officers directly to Kibar’s door, leading to his immediate arrest.
The Sentencing Judge described Kibar’s actions as shocking and alarming, noting that he did not hesitate to use violence to get his way. For his actions in Belfast, Kibar was handed a 13-year custodial sentence. The judge noted that he had no hesitation in imposing a lengthy term due to the high risk of reoffending posed by the defendant, who had shown no emotion as the unanimous guilty verdicts for three counts of rape were delivered.
Status and Statutory Requirements
For the crimes reported in Northern Ireland, the status of Orhan Kibar is as follows:
- Custodial Sentence: 13 years in prison (Sentenced 2019).
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements are active for life.
- Judicial Oversight: Sentenced at Belfast Crown Court following a PSNI investigation.
- Criminal Record: Rape (3 counts); False Imprisonment.
- Origin: Claremont Street, Belfast (Nationality: Turkish).
Monitoring and Public Protection
Kibar is managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) at a high level of scrutiny. Due to the nature of his conduct in South Belfast, which involved the predatory luring and violent sexual assault of two teenagers, his management is a priority for the Public Protection Unit. Authorities state that his life-long registration is a critical tool to ensure he is strictly monitored by police and probation services upon any eventual release, with strict conditions prohibiting contact with the survivors.
As a member of the Sex Offenders Register for life, Kibar must comply with all notification requirements regarding his identity and residence. Authorities state that his “shocking” level of violence and his use of a residential flat to facilitate rape in Belfast necessitates permanent vigilance. Any future attempt to approach vulnerable women, fail to disclose his location, or breach his licence conditions will result in immediate arrest and an instant return to the prison system.
If you or anyone you know has been affected by the individuals highlighted on this website, please report them to the Police on 101 (999 in an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details on reporting a crime. You can also report to Crimestoppers if you wish to remain completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.