Moment delivery driver on student visa who raped stranger in car park is arrested by police at Gatwick Airport as he tries to flee to Pakistan

By OLIVIA DAY, ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR, AUSTRALIA Published: 16:07, 23 June 2026 | Updated: 16:22, 23 June 2026 A rapist who attacked a 'vulnerable' young woman in a car park and tried to flee to Pakistan on a one-way flight from Gatwick Airport has been jailed for 11 years. Pakistani national Suleman Mukaish, 27, attacked the woman in her 20s in a Worthing car park in West Sussex about 8pm on March 11.  Two days after the attack, Mukaish, who was living in Sussex on a student visa, travelled to Gatwick Airport to catch a one-way flight home.  However, the delivery driver was intercepted by police officers as he entered the terminal and promptly arrested.  Mukaish pleaded guilty to the rape at Lewes Crown Court on April 13. On Tuesday, he was jailed for eight years and three months with a three year extension for dangerousness. Mukaish will spend two thirds of the eight years and three months in prison before being eligible for parole. His victim, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was left traumatised by the attack, Hove Crown Court heard.  Pakistani national Suleman Mukaish, 27, was intercepted by officers as he attempted to catch a one-way flight to Pakistan two days after he raped a young woman in a carpark Mukaish was handcuffed and led to a police car after being intercepted at Gatwick Airport  The court heard the woman was fearful of contracting HIV and can no longer return to the hospital due to flashbacks of the assault. Judge Christine Henson KC said the 'highly intelligent' masters student with no known mental health or substance misuse issues presents a danger to women.  'She was at her most vulnerable when you - a complete stranger - raped her over the bonnet of a car,' the judge said.  'The impact psychologically on her has been immense. 'She expressed suicidal thoughts and has been harming herself. 'You took advantage of her for your own sexual gratification.' The court heard on the evening of the attack, the victim had attended Worthing Hospital 'intoxicated, confused and unsteady on her feet' and then left.  Prosecutor Chetna Patel said the woman was grabbed by the arm by Mukaish and taken to the car park opposite the hospital. Mukaish, who was on a two-year student visa until 2028 is pictured during police questioning The woman was able to identify the car where she was attacked, where a fingerprint and handprint matching Mukaish was later found by investigators She was attempting to hold on to the wall to stop him before she was forced on to the bonnet of a car and raped, the prosecutor said. The victim was left at the scene and found shortly afterwards by a member of the public, to whom she said she had been raped. The police were called and the woman was able to identify the car where she was attacked, where a fingerprint and handprint matching Mukaish were later found.  Detectives were also able to piece together CCTV which showed the delivery driver grabbing the woman and taking her to the car park.   His defence said Mukaish had been working as a delivery driver when he stopped to help the woman, but then 'took advantage of someone in a very vulnerable position.' His account was that the woman asked him for money, which he offered on the understanding he could 'do what he wanted,' leading to the offence.  His barrister said Mukaish accepts the woman did not have capacity to consent. Judge Henson said the offer of money 'reinforces your attitude of sexual entitlement'. Judge Christine Henson KC said the 'highly intelligent' masters student with no known mental health or substance misuse issues presents a danger to women The court previously heard Mukaish had studied computer sciences and had completed his Master's.  He entered the UK on a student visa with graduate leave until 2028, and has no previous convictions, Ms Patel told the court. In mitigation, the court heard Mukaish had come to the country with good prospects, was well-educated and hard‑working, and held multiple jobs. Despite being arrested with a one-way ticket to Pakistan, Mukaish told the court he had every intention of returning to complete his studies.  Detective Superintendent Andrew Harbour commended the woman for her bravery and thanked witnesses for helping her at the scene. 'Despite answering "no comment" during police interviews and making a short statement to deny the offence, when presented with the strength of our evidence, Mukaish chose to plead guilty in court,' he said.  'This case shows our determination to catch offenders, and Mukaish is now serving a significant custodial sentence.' 'We take reports of rape and sexual offences extremely seriously, and tackling incidents of violence against women and girls is a priority for Sussex Police.' No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? 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