South Shields man who sexually abused women after drugging them is branded a ‘monster’
A "monster" who gave his victims ketamine to render them "insensible" before he raped and sexually abused them has been locked up for 18 years.
Predator Khamal Hussain lured two victims to his home before launching separate attacks while they were under the influence of drugs.
The 47-year-old, of Nevinson Avenue, South Shields, raped the second victim after he had been released under investigation by the police for abusing the first.
Newcastle Crown Court heard one of the women considered taking her own life and both have been left severely traumatised by his abuse.
But Judge Tom Moran praised them, saying they had prevented others from being attacked by Hussain, who poses a very high risk of striking again, by bravely coming forward.
Hussain targeted the first victim while she was drunk and out socialising by making bizarre conversation with her about religion and spirituality, claiming he was able to read auras.
She went to his home with a friend where she told him she wouldn't ever try ketamine, which she had never taken before.
Hussain gave her what he told her was cocaine but was, in fact, ketamine and she ended up in a bad way and feeling like she was "in another world".
The court heard she only has vague memories, one of which was the weight of him on top of her sexually abusing her.
From around 8am the following day, her memory is clearer and she remembers Hussain saying he liked to see how different people, in particular women, reacted to ketamine.
Hussain had been released under investigation for that attack when he targeted another woman.
His second victim had been drinking when Hussain persuaded her to go to his home.
He turned off his doorbell camera before taking her inside, where he had two lines of ketamine laid out in his bedroom.
She took one of them and ended up drifting in and out of consciousness and being sick.
Hussain sexually assaulted and raped her.
The woman told her friend she had blacked out and when she came round Hussain referred to sex having taken place.
Hussain was found guilty of assault by penetration on the first victim and rape, assault by penetration and two counts of sexual assault on the second victim.
The first woman said in a statement which she read to the court: "When this happened, I felt emotions I didn't know I could feel. I'm terrified of this happening again so my social life is non-existent and I have no interest in a relationship.
"Most days I don't even leave the house. I don't feel safe where I live any more. I carry a personal alarm with me and I don't walk around at night.
"This is something I will carry with me for the rest of my life. The emotional and mental scars I have will stay with me. I don't think I will ever get the old me back but I'm going to try to be the best person I can be."
She added that she had seriously contemplated suicide, even writing notes for her children and family.
She said: "I don't want to die, I just don't want to feel the way I feel anymore."
Addressing Hussain, she said: "I won't let you take away any more of my life. I want everyone to see the monster you are and to stop you doing this to anyone else."
The second victim said: "I still feel sick to my stomach to this day.
"I felt like I had been robbed of the person I was. The way I felt for years is slowly lifting but the mental and emotional scars will be there for the rest of my life."
The court heard Hussain has previous convictions for violence and harassment but no sexual offences.
Jailing him for 18 years, with an extended licence period of a further four years, Judge Tom Moran said: "The jury heard you said to one victim that you liked to see how different women reacted to being given ketamine. That was a partial admission."
The judge said the full truth was he gave them ketamine as a "way of making them insensible so you could rape and sexually abuse them".
Of the first victim, Judge Moran said: "I'm in no doubt whatsoever that you set your sights on abusing her much earlier that night.
“You planned to get her back to your house and give her ketamine so, combined with drink, she would not be able to prevent you sexually assaulting her.
"She was very unwell and unable to defend herself against your predatory behaviour."
Judge Moran said the fact Hussain attacked the second victim after being released under investigation for the first offence was a "sign of how hard it was for you to control your predatory sexual behaviour".
The judge said of both women: "They should know, their willingness and ability to see this case through has meant for many years you will not be able to target and abuse other women, who I'm in no doubt would have been at very high risk from you had they not found the strength to bring you to justice.
"Their bravery has saved other women from what they have had to suffer."
He added that Hussain poses a very high risk of causing serious harm to women and has a "sinister side" to his personality.
On top of the prison sentence, of which he will have to serve at least two-thirds in prison, Hussain must sign the sex offenders register for life and was given restraining orders in respect of each victim.
Chris Knox, defending, said Hussain was found not guilty of an offence of using drugs to stupefy the first victim. He added that references show a different side to Hussain.
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