Bristol man jailed for 17 years for rape and sexual abuse of woman and girl
Suleman Aqeel was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on 30th September
A 23-year-old man from Speedwell in Bristol has been jailed for 17 years for raping a woman and a girl.
Suleman Aqeel was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on Wednesday 30th September.
He will serve 12 years in prison and a further five years on licence.
The offences
Avon and Somerset Police said Aqeel pleaded guilty to two counts of rape and sexual assault by penetration of a woman aged 16 or over, and to the rape of a girl under 16.
He also pleaded guilty to controlling and coercive behaviour with violence, taking indecent images of children, intentional strangulation, meeting a child following sexual grooming, and sexual activity with a child.
Police said Aqeel used social media, including sites such as Snapchat, to arrange to meet young girls.
He would give his victims alcohol before sexually abusing them, sometimes when they were asleep, according to police.
Police said he frequently filmed his offending on a mobile phone.
He was either violent to his victims or threatened them with violence, police said.
Damaging their belongings and using a tracking device on one victim's phone were also part of his behaviour, according to the force.
Police said he used degrading and insulting language, and threatened to disclose intimate videos and images.
Aqeel was arrested on 4th June 2025 and charged the following day.
He first appeared in court on 6th June.
Victim statements
Two of his victims read statements in court about the impact of his offending, police said.
The first victim said: "He disintegrated me as a human and treated me like an animal. He made me feel like I didn't have a purpose. I feel like no one can ever shock me in the way they treat me now."
She said: "He's made me so scared of doing things wrong and I overthink everything I do. When I found out he pleaded guilty to some of the things he had done, some weight came off my shoulders. I couldn't have lived with myself knowing he was out there and doing it to someone else. I wouldn't wish that kind of relationship on my worst enemy."
The second victim said: "He made me do things a child should never be involved in. He took away my innocence which is something I can never take back. He got me at my most vulnerable position, so he had full control and was in a place of power to take advantage of me. Even though he changed my life in ways, I'll never forget what he did to me. I work towards my goals and aspirations way harder now than I ever have. I'm motivated to do better every day."
Police response
Detective Constables Sacha Hooper and Florence Dickinson, the officers in the case from Operation Bluestone, said: "We would like to commend the bravery of the victims in reporting their ordeal to us, and for supporting an investigation into the abuse by Aqeel which has understandably caused them significant distress."
They said: "We recognise the incredible strength they have shown in engaging with us and the criminal justice system. In doing so, these young women have helped us put a dangerous offender in prison for a significant period of time, therefore preventing him from causing further violence against woman and girls, and we hope it gives them the closure and justice they deserve."
Avon and Somerset Police said it has maintained contact with the victims throughout the investigation and offered them access to specialist support services.
Support available
Help is available for victims of rape or sexual assault, whether recent or non-recent.
People can self-refer to The Bridge, a Sexual Assault Referral Centre available 24/7, 365 days a year, via its website or by calling 0117 342 6999.
Details of charities and organisations that support victims are available at www.thisisnotanexcuse.org .