Sadistic torturer guilty on all counts

A VIOLENT, sadistic torturer and rapist has been found guilty of a string of horrific offences against four different women with whom he had relationships.

A Manchester Crown Court jury took more than four days to reach unanimous verdicts on each of 25 counts after a trial lasting seven weeks.

Iqbal Ali (32), of Broadway, Oldham, subjected the women to physical, psychological and sexual abuse over a decade.

His last victim, now 28, would have died from appalling injuries he caused but for life-saving surgery last October.

Ali, who worked as a customer services adviser for four years up to the time of his arrest, showed no emotion as guilty verdicts were announced on each count. He was being sentenced today.

His last victim was rushed into intensive care after she went to a local pharmacy because she was struggling to breathe.

She was found to have throat perforation, a fractured larynx and a potentially life-threatening chest infection, and had to undergo emergency surgery.

Pathologist Dr Naomi Carter told the jury she would have died without it, and said the injuries were consistent with attempts to strangle her, and severe physical assault.

David Toal, prosecuting, said: “She suffered years of systematic physical and sexual abuse that culminated in the attack she sustained.”

The victim said Ali was jealous and possessive and dominated her in every way.

She invented stories about how she came by regular injuries, to fend off concern from colleagues and friends.

She told police officers how he would pour boiling water over her, causing scalds to almost every part of her body except her face; make her hold her hands on an oven ring turned up full, strangle her to the point where she lost consciousness, kick, punch and beat her, and rape her. Sickening photographs of her injuries, which Ali took, were found on his mobile phone.

Police inquiries revealed a further three victims and, when interviewed about their experiences at his hands, a chillingly similar picture emerged.

The court heard that two of the women had lived under the same roof with him for a time, and he was having a relationship with both, while lying to each about the other. One of his victims said he controlled her every move and would inflict pain for the least excuse.

Ali who claimed the women made up the allegations, pleaded not guilty to 13 counts of assault causing actual bodily harm, four of rape, two of inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent, two of indecent assault, two common assault, and two of possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.