The Richmond RCMP says a man has been sentenced to five years in prison after being found guilty of a historic sex crime.
Mounties explained Wednesday that on April 30, Christopher Sharafi, also known as Mohammed Mendi Sharafi, was sentenced for a 2001 sexual assault after a break-and-enter. Shafari was found guilty in October last year.
“We wish to commend the victim on the courage she has demonstrated throughout this entire ordeal. She has been unwavering in seeing the offender brought to justice despite having to relive these traumatic events. We recognize how difficult it can be for victims to report offences to police, especially sexual assaults. To lessen the effects of crime and trauma, we provide victims of crime, witnesses and their families with professional, supportive, and timely assistance from our Victim Services Unit,” said Insp. Michael Cohee.
“With the support of the victim from this heinous act, we are sharing this incident in the hopes of encouraging anyone who has been victimized to come forward in the hopes of seeking justice for them.”
Police say the incident happened on Dec. 21, 2001, after Mounties received a report of a break-and-enter.
“The victim advised she had woken-up to find a man standing in her room who then climbed into her bed. Unfortunately, despite her attempts to fight back the victim was sexually assaulted. Following the assault, the victim left her residence and called police from a local business,” police explained Wednesday.
Through DNA examination in 2015, the suspect sample matched a known offender on the National DNA Data Bank, leading to an arrest, and subsequent charge.
“We appreciate everything the victim has done in support of this criminal investigation and hope the conviction and sentencing offers some relief that justice has been served,” said Cohee.