A woman who was left fearing for her life during a terrifying rape in Leeds has spoken out after her attacker was jailed for nine years.

Uvesh Vahora, 36, of no fixed abode, was sentenced at Leeds Crown Court on Wednesday (Nov 11) after being convicted of raping a woman in the Hyde Park area of the city.

The victim has now shared a powerful statement describing the lasting impact of the attack and encouraging other victims of sexual offences to come forward.

Vahora was found guilty of one count of rape on Tuesday (Nov 3), following a trial at Leeds Crown Court.

The offence took place at a property on Autumn Avenue on the night of April 9, 2026, and was the subject of a public appeal at the time.

The victim was able to identify the property where the attack happened, leading officers to arrest Vahora, who was living there at the time.

Police said he was arrested around five hours after the offence was reported and had remained in custody since.

Vahora, who the court heard was in the country as a student, was sentenced to nine years in prison and ordered to register as a sex offender indefinitely.

Following the sentencing, the victim spoke about the devastating psychological impact of the attack.

She said: “What I find particularly difficult is that I am the person who has been left carrying all of this. I am the person who has to live with the memories, the discomfort, the fear, the changes to my confidence and the damage to the way I see myself.

“I never chose any of this. I never chose to have my sense of safety, my trust in people or my relationship with my own body taken away.

“I hope that by speaking out, I can show others who have experienced something similar that their voices matter, that they deserve to be heard and believed, and that seeking justice is worthwhile.

“I hope anyone else in a similar position finds the strength to speak up and gets the justice they deserve.”

Detective Inspector Tom Crosfill, of West Yorkshire Police, said: “Vahora has subjected the victim to a terrifying experience with her being in genuine fear for her life thinking that he was going to kill her.

“After disclosing the offence to friends, she contacted police with officers arresting Vahora within around five hours of this offence taking place. He has been held on remand since that time.

“In the meantime, those working on this investigation have gathered the evidence including victim and witness statements, CCTV and digital lines of enquiry that has led to Vahora’s conviction.

“I understand how incredibly difficult it can be to report rape and other sexual offences and I really hope that this conviction demonstrates how seriously an offence of this nature is treated from the outset. Our message to victims is that you will be listened to, you will be supported and we will do everything possible to bring perpetrators before the courts.”