22-year-old found guilty of hotel rape

A 22-year-old man has been convicted of raping a woman inside a hotel.

Rameez Afzal, formerly of Catherine Street, Reading, was found guilty today by a jury of one count of rape at Reading Crown Court.

The victim, a 23-year-old woman, returned to a hotel in Oxford Road, Reading, in the early hours of June 4 after a night out with friends.

She couldn't access the lift with her card fob and Afzal, who was in the lobby, came to help.

She asked him if he knew where her room was.

He took her to his room while she believed he was showing her back to hers.

Once inside, he raped her.

The jury returned a unanimous verdict and Afzal is due to be sentenced at the same court on April 25.

Investigating officer DC James Woodcock, of Reading Force CID, said: “I am grateful to the courage shown by the victim, who gave evidence in the trial, and by the witnesses throughout this difficult time."