Top judges ordered Remus Hamza to serve an extra 28 days in prison for wasting court time
A rapist who forced himself on a Cardiff student will spend an extra month behind bars after a “hopeless” attempt to have his jail term cut.
Remus Hamza, of Neville Street, Riverside, raped the 20-year-old near Cardiff University as she walked home after a night out drinking.
The 41-year-old, who is originally from Romania, had previously exposed himself to three young women in the same area.
Hamza denied any wrongdoing, claiming he had consensual sex with the victim, but he was found guilty of rape at Newport Crown Court last February.
He was given a 16-year extended sentence for public protection, made up of a 12-year jail term and four years on extended licence.
Ordered to serve extra 28 days
Challenging that sentence at the Court of Appeal, in London, his lawyers argued his jail term was far too tough.
But his complaints were rejected by top judges, who said they were “totally without merit” and ordered him to serve an extra 28 days in prison for wasting court time.
The court heard the student was walking home after a night out drinking in 2015 when she encountered Hamza, who was lying in wait for a potential victim.
As she walked along Museum Avenue at about 3am, he grabbed hold of her bottom before raping her in nearby bushes.
He fled after being seen by a passer-by, who called the police, but was traced from DNA evidence.
Judge Sarah Munro QC told the court the victim suffered serious psychological harm as a result of the attack.
Hamza had previously indecently exposed himself to three women who were walking along Museum Avenue.
"No merit whatsoever in this appeal"
His lawyers argued the Crown Court judge made the wrong assessment of how serious his crime was and didn’t take enough account of the fact he will have to serve two thirds of his jail term before his release can be considered.
But, dismissing his appeal, Judge Sarah Munro QC said it was “not arguable” that the sentence was excessive.
Sitting with Lord Justice Treacy and Mrs Justice Andrews, she added: “The provisions relating to early release and licence should be left out of the picture when determining sentence. There is no merit whatsoever in this appeal.”
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/rapist-spend-extra-month-behind-12643817
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