Farman Ali, aged 28, from Sheffield, has been sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment at Sheffield Crown Court after being convicted of a campaign of sexual violence, physical assaults, and witness intimidation against a woman. Two female co-defendants who assisted him in the offending have also been handed custodial terms.
The court heard that between 2024 and 2025, Ali subjected the victim to a six-month ordeal involving physical violence, severe psychological abuse, and repeated sexual attacks, including raping her on six separate occasions and carrying out two sexual assaults.
Ali was aided and abetted in the wider offending by two female associates: Zarina Zarina, aged 60, and Saadia Mohammad, aged 43.
Under the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act, all victims of sexual offences are entitled to lifelong statutory anonymity. It is a criminal offence to publish any detail likely to lead to the identification of the complainant.
The victim formally reported the offending to South Yorkshire Police in January 2025. Acting on the disclosures, detectives arrested Ali, Zarina, and Mohammad the following day.
Following his initial arrest, Ali launched a campaign of witness intimidation against the complainant, issuing direct threats to kill members of her family if she refused to withdraw her statements and discontinue legal action. Despite the intimidation, the victim maintained her cooperation with the criminal justice process.
A comprehensive policing operation gathered evidence including forensic material, CCTV footage, witness testimony, and medical photographic records documenting the victim’s physical injuries.
The co-defendants, Zarina Zarina and Saadia Mohammad, entered formal guilty pleas at Sheffield Crown Court on 5 May to the charges brought against them, though both were acquitted of assault.
Ali denied all wrongdoing and took the matter to a contested trial. On 14 May 2026, the jury dismissed his defence, returning unanimous guilty verdicts on 11 charges, comprising six counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault, and associated offences.
Appearing for sentence on Thursday, 1 October, the judge handed Ali an immediate determinate custodial sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment. Under statutory provisions for serious sexual offences, Ali must serve at least two-thirds of the sentence in custody before being considered for release on licence by the Parole Board, alongside lifetime notification requirements on the Sex Offenders Register.
Co-defendants Zarina and Mohammad were each sentenced to three years and two months’ imprisonment for their roles in facilitating the abuse.
Image – Anonymous Artist Impression
For the latest updates and offender details, follow us on the Offender Register Facebook Page. 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 how to report a crime. You can also report to Crimestoppers if you wish to remain completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.