'Monster' rapist drugged and sexually abused women

A "monster" who drugged and sexually abused two women has been jailed for 18 years.

Khamal Hussain, 47, gave his victims ketamine because he liked to see how it affected women, then assaulted them while they were partially conscious, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

Judge Thomas Moran praised the bravery of his victims, both of whom said they had been scarred for life, for ensuring Hussain could not attack anyone else.

Hussain, from South Shields, had denied wrongdoing but was found guilty of offences including rape, sexual assault and administering a substance with intent.

He met his first victim on a night out and talked to her about religion, spirituality and being able to sense people's auras before taking her to his home and drugging and abusing her, prosecutor Vincent Ward said.

The woman said she "felt in another world" and her memory of what happened was very fragmented, but she could recall Hussain being on top of her and sexually assaulting her, the court heard.

She did remember him telling her he "liked to see how different people, particularly females, reacted to ketamine", Ward said.

The woman told the court the attack and aftermath had totally changed her.

"I have shut myself off from everyone I love," she said.

She had lost her job, routine in life and her independence, but told the court "most of all I lost me".

She said she had contemplated suicide because she did not want to feel the way she did anymore, adding: "I will carry this with me for the rest of my life."

The woman told Hussain: "I want everyone to see the monster you are and make sure you never do this to anybody else."

Having been arrested, interviewed and released under investigation for the attack on the first woman, Hussain targeted a second "vulnerable" woman, disabling his security cameras when he took her back to his house, the court heard.

He gave her ketamine and, once she was feeling the effects, raped her.

The woman told the court she had been "robbed of the person I was" and been left with scars for the rest of her life.

Judge Thomas Moran praised the women for reporting Hussain and giving evidence at his trial.

"Their bravery has saved other women from going through what they had to suffer," he said.

Hussain, the judge said, had shown "predatory sexual behaviour" in attacks that were "premeditated" and "carefully planned".

Having deemed Hussain to be a "dangerous" offender who posed an ongoing high risk to others, the judge ordered he must serve an extra four years on extended licence upon his release from his prison.

Speaking after the sentencing, Det Con Kerry Kane of Northumbria Police, said Hussain's actions had been "completely abhorrent".

She also "applauded" the bravery of the victims, adding: "I hope today can mark a new beginning for both of them as they rebuild knowing their abuser is now behind bars for a considerable stint."

Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.