A Barnsley man has been sentenced to imprisonment after being convicted of sexually assaulting two women following a night out in the town.
Court verdict and sentence
Haranand Rai, aged 35 and from Tennyson Road in Barnsley, was found guilty after a four-day trial at Sheffield Crown Court. The offences dated back to February 2023. He was sentenced to six years' imprisonment after the jury returned guilty verdicts on two counts of sexual assault.
Police response and victims' bravery
Detective Constable Courtney Moorby of South Yorkshire Police commended the two women who reported the attacks, underlining the difficulty of reliving traumatic events in open court. Officers said the victims' willingness to give evidence played a crucial role in securing the conviction.
"This was a deeply distressing ordeal for both women who should never have been subjected to Rai's predatory behaviour,"
DC Moorby added that Rai did not accept responsibility for his actions and praised the victims for their courage in coming forward and supporting the investigation.
Local impact and context
The case will resonate across Barnsley, where community confidence in public safety and the criminal justice process is closely watched. Sentences in serious sexual offences are intended both to punish offenders and to provide some reassurance to victims and the wider public that such crimes are taken seriously by police and courts.
- Defendant: Haranand Rai, 35, of Tennyson Road, Barnsley
- Offences: Two counts of sexual assault (incidents in February 2023)
- Court: Sheffield Crown Court; four-day trial; sentenced to six years
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Defendant age | 35 |
| Location | Tennyson Road, Barnsley |
| Sentence | Six years' imprisonment |
Support and reporting
Anyone affected by sexual violence or needing support is encouraged to contact local victim services or South Yorkshire Police to discuss reporting options and access specialist help. The strength of witness statements in this case was highlighted by investigators as central to obtaining a conviction.
The custodial sentence follows the trial in which the jury examined the evidence presented over several days. The outcome removes a person described by police as dangerous from the community and demonstrates the continuing focus of local authorities on pursuing allegations of sexual crime.
