Courageous pensioner who fought off "vile" would-be rapist in Sheffield park attack praised for bravery
"This was a planned attack by a vile man who showed no care for anyone else as long it furthered his selfish and perverted aims”
A courageous elderly woman whose fortitude and strength saw her fight off a “vile” would-be rapist has been commended for her bravery.
Dressed in a balaclava, gloves and dark coat, twisted Ali Askre went to Concord Park in Shiregreen, and laid in wait for a woman to attack, Sheffield Crown Court heard previously.
He later told police that he had never had sex, and had decided he would “f*** the first woman he saw”.
Askre, aged 25, struck at around 7.30am, pushing his 73-year-old victim to the ground, before punching her to the face.
He subsequently began to pull her trousers down, at which point she began fighting him off, the court heard.
She also told him: “I’m 73. What if this was your mum or your nan, what would you do?”
The bravery of the complainant - who is entitled to lifelong anonymity - not only brought an end to the attack, but it also helped to take dangerous Askre, of Torksey Road West, Shiregreen, Sheffield, off the streets.
On Monday, October 5, 2026, Askre received a 20-year sentence, comprised of 12 years’ custody and an eight-year extended licence period after being ruled to be a dangerous offender who poses a high risk of reoffending.
Now, police have praised the complainant for her “immeasurable courage”.
Detective Constable Daniel Lilley, the officer in charge of the case, said: "I would like to recognise the immense strength of the victim in this case. She provided us with crucial information in the immediate aftermath of this horrendous ordeal and has shown immeasurable courage throughout the justice process.
"Although no sentence will ever undo the trauma she has experienced, I hope this result provides some reassurance that her bravery has ensured a dangerous man has been taken off of the streets of South Yorkshire.
"This was planned attack by a vile man who showed no care for anyone else as long it furthered his selfish and perverted aims. I am pleased that he will now be put behind bars and unable to cause even more pain to our communities.”
The court heard how when Askre carried out the attack he was the subject of a community order, passed down just months earlier, for sexually assaulting two paramedics dispatched to help him after he was found drunkenly passed out in Sheffield city centre.