A bar owner wept as he was sent to prison for seven years for sexually assaulting a woman.

MD Wahiduzzaman Akanda’s victim sat in court as the father-of-two was convicted for two sex attacks.

Akanda was found guilty by a jury at Maidstone Crown Court after he pressured the victim into drinking alcohol. She repeatedly refused but he made her drink a mix of cocktails and shots, to the point that she was sick.

The 39-year-old then followed her into the female toilets where he sexually assaulted her in spite of her telling him to stop. She was heard crying by another person who attempted to check on her welfare, but Akanda told them that she was fine and this person left.

When Akanda, of Railway Street, Gillingham, left the toilet, the victim locked herself in a cubicle and called police before leaving the premises. Akanda was located and arrested on the following day.

Judge Gareth Branston heard how the woman, who has been left feeling triggered by even the smell of the aftershave Akanda was wearing at the time, was sexually assaulted by the Gravesend bar boss during the Covid lockdown in October 2020.

She told the court she had wanted to know why the bar owner had targeted her – but he had never given her an answer as he was still in denial.

‘I want to commend the victim in not only reporting his offending but ensuring her account was heard...’

But Judge Branston told him: “I can answer that...it was because of your utter selfishness during your evening of madness.”

Akanda was told he will now have to serve two-thirds of the sentence before he will be eligible for parole.

The court heard how the woman had suffered several flashbacks and nightmares following the incident.

Lesley Manley, defending, said Akanda was “deeply ashamed” by the incident and fears his business would go bust if he was jailed.

Akanda, who began crying as his barrister pleaded for a lighter suspended sentence, left the dock without looking at his victim.

Detective Sergeant Emma Crombie said: ”Akanda targeted his victim and sexually assaulted her when she was at her most vulnerable.

“He encouraged and pressured her to drink alcohol, despite her saying no repeatedly. He knew she was intoxicated and unable to fend him off and isolated her in order to carry out his despicable attack.

“I want to commend the victim in not only reporting his offending but ensuring her account was heard. By denying the allegations, Akanda made the victim relive her ordeal and put her through the trauma of a trial. Her courage, however, has ensured that he has been held accountable for his actions and protected other potential victims from this predator.”