A former Worcester city councillor has been jailed for nine years after being convicted of raping and violently assaulting a woman during the period he held public office.
Shawaz Ditta, 31, of Bath Road, Worcester, denied the allegations but was found guilty of one count of rape and two counts of assault causing actual bodily harm.
The offences took place during 2022, the same year Ditta was elected to Worcester City Council as a Conservative.
He was sentenced at Worcester Crown Court on November 5.
Woman Reported Ditta To Police In 2023
The woman reported Ditta to police in early 2023.
She told officers he had raped her and assaulted her on several occasions during the previous year.
The court heard that one assault involved Ditta throwing metal tongs at her head.
In another incident, he heated a knife on a hob and pressed the hot blade against her leg.
A jury later convicted him of the rape and both assault offences.
Nine-Year Prison Sentence
Ditta was sentenced to nine years in prison.
He was also made subject to a 10-year restraining order preventing him from contacting or approaching the woman.
The court placed him on the sex offenders’ register for life and ordered him to pay a £288 victim surcharge.
Police Describe Ditta As ‘Violent Sexual Predator’
Detective Constable Lydia Burrows, of West Mercia Police, described Ditta as a “violent sexual predator who belongs behind bars”.
She said the conviction showed that nobody was above the law regardless of their position or status.
Burrows also praised the woman for coming forward and said police hoped the result would encourage other victims of sexual and domestic abuse to report offences.
She said victims would be taken seriously and treated with empathy and respect.
Offences Took Place While Ditta Was A Councillor
Ditta had been elected to Worcester City Council in May 2022 as a Conservative councillor.
The offences took place during his period in office.
His conviction has prompted criticism from local political figures, who said his conduct represented a serious breach of the standards expected of elected representatives.
Political Figures Respond
Marc Bayliss, chairman of the Worcestershire Conservative Party and deputy police and crime commissioner, described the offences as “heinous and absolutely unacceptable”.
He said his thoughts were with the victim and welcomed the fact Ditta had been brought to justice.
Liberal Democrat councillor Sarah Murray said Ditta had betrayed the standards expected of those in public office.
She said elected representatives were expected to act with integrity and decency and that political status should never protect someone from accountability.
Police Praise Victim For Coming Forward
West Mercia Police said the case demonstrated the importance of victims feeling able to report sexual and violent offences, even when the accused holds a position of public prominence.
Police said the woman’s decision to come forward had enabled investigators to build the case which ultimately resulted in Ditta’s conviction and nine-year prison sentence.
