Parole Board to decide Sunny Islam release behind closed doors

The Parole Board will decide whether Sunny Islam, 37, should be released from prison after serving a minimum 11-year sentence for a series of violent attacks in East London. The hearing will take place behind closed doors, despite a request from one of his victims for it to be held in public.

Islam was convicted in 2012 at Woolwich Crown Court of seven counts of rape, one sexual assault, and one imprisonment. His victims included a 15-year-old girl he kidnapped and raped, as well as three other women he attacked over a three-month period in 2010. He was given an indefinite sentence with a minimum term of 11 years, which expired in 2021.

Victim’s request for public hearing rejected

One of Islam’s victims applied for the Parole Board hearing to be held in public. The board refused, accepting arguments from Islam’s lawyer that he suffered from anxiety at the prospect of a public hearing. No medical evidence was provided to support this claim, as reported by the *Evening Standard*.

Islam’s solicitor told the Parole Board that the prisoner had experienced a “dramatic increase in his anxiety, including sleep disturbance” after learning of the victim’s request. The solicitor added that Islam was seeking medical advice but had not yet provided any documentation. Judge Jeremy Roberts ruled against the public hearing, citing Islam’s reported anxiety and the potential impact on other victims.

Attacks described as ‘reign of terror’

Islam’s attacks took place over three months in 2010. He targeted women at night, using a knife and plastic cable ties to restrain them. Police linked him to four victims, though they believe there may be others who never came forward.

The first known attack occurred in July 2010, when Islam beat and raped a 20-year-old sex worker. Later that month, he kidnapped and sexually assaulted a 28-year-old woman in Forest Gate. In September 2010, he abducted a 15-year-old girl, telling her he would “teach her a lesson” for being out alone at night. He drove her to an isolated location and raped her.

Detectives connected Islam to a fourth victim after finding blood in his car that matched a 31-year-old woman he had tied up and beaten during a rape. When officers raided his home in Barking, they found evidence linking him to all four attacks.

Sentencing judge condemned Islam’s attitude

At his sentencing in 2012, Judge Patricia Lees told Islam that his words to the 15-year-old victim were a “chilling indictment” of his attitude. She said, “You seem to observe women out at night as not deserving respect or protection.” The judge described the harm he caused as “incalculable.”

Islam claimed during his trial that he came from a devout Muslim background. He was 21 at the time of the attacks. Police tracked him down after his third assault, when he kidnapped the 15-year-old girl.

What happens next

The Parole Board will hold its private hearing in the coming weeks. If Islam is released, he will remain under strict licence conditions, including supervision by the probation service. The board has not provided a timeline for its decision. The Metropolitan Police and the Parole Board have not commented on the case.