Man who raped women and girls to 'teach them a lesson for being out late at night' wins move to open prison - after remand hearing held in private in case he suffered 'anxiety'

A rapist who violently attacked women and a teenage girl to 'teach them a lesson' for being out late at night is set to be moved to an open prison.Sunny Islam, 38, who told his trial jury he was a practising Muslim, was handed an indefinite prison sentence for attacking three women and the teenager in a three-month reign of terror in London in 2010.Islam dragged his victims, which included a 15-year-old girl, off the street at knifepoint, then bound and assaulted them.Detectives fear he might have attacked many more women who have not yet come forward.Attacking the teenager, who told Islam she was only 11 years old, Judge Patricia Lees described how he said he was going to 'teach her a lesson'.'Those words are a chilling indictment of your very troubling attitude towards all of these victims,' she said.'You seem to observe women out at night as not deserving respect or protection.'Islam, who grew up in a strict Muslim family, was handed a sentence of imprisonment for public protection to a minimum of 11 years in prison. With time already served, this term expired in 2021.A parole hearing earlier this month was held privately despite one victim's application for it to take place in public – which was refused because the thought gave Islam 'anxiety'.The board ruled it is not 'safe' for Islam to be freed from custody, but did recommend he be moved to an open prison – meaning he is a step closer to a release in due course.It is now up to the Secretary of State to decide whether to accept the Parole Board recommendation. Sunny Islam, 38, was handed an indefinite prison sentence for attacking four women in a three-month reign of terror in 2010In a published summary of its decision, the Parole Board described the rapist as having 'risk factors' which 'make it more likely that Mr Islam would reoffend' including his previous crimes and pattern of offending.It added: 'At the time of his offending, these risk factors had included thinking about sex a lot and preferring sex to include violent or controlling behaviour, thinking he had the right to have sex as and when he wanted, problems with relationships, acting on the spur of the moment without thinking adequately about the consequences, difficulties coping with stress, and not understanding the harm his actions caused to the victims.'But the summary also claimed Islam has made 'progress' while in prison and that his behaviour behind bars must be taken into account.It said Islam had taken part in courses 'to address sex offending': 'He had undertaken accredited programmes to address sex offending, decision making, and better ways of thinking.'He had also engaged with a regime designed and supported by psychologists to help people recognise and deal with their problems. He had completed other work focussed on victim empathy.'The panel heard how Islam had 'demonstrated application of relevant skills and learning while in custody'.A release plan put forward by a probation officer would have involved 'strict limitations' on Islam's movements and activities, the board was told.Full release was supported by Islam's prison officer but opposed by a psychologist and probation officer, who instead recommended a transfer to an open prison.The panel agreed, saying they had 'concluded this plan was not robust enough to manage Mr Islam in the community at this stage'.They concluded: 'After considering the circumstances of his offending, the progress made while in custody and the evidence presented at the hearing, the panel was not satisfied that release at this point would be safe for the protection of the public.'However, on considering the criteria for recommending placement in open conditions, the panel recommended that Mr Islam should be progressed in this way. It is now for the Secretary of State to decide whether they accept the Parole Board's recommendation.'Mr Islam will be eligible for another parole review in due course.'If the Secretary of State approves Islam's transfer to an open prison, he will be free to come and go from the site during the day for activities including work, education or other resettlement purposes. Previously, one of his victims applied for the hearing to be held in public but this was rejected as it might have caused him 'anxiety'.The application was denied, with one of the reasons given as Islam's claims he had become unwell after hearing of the possibility of facing the public.His solicitor said: 'Since learning that an application has been made for the oral hearing to be held in public, the prisoner has reported a dramatic increase in his anxiety, including sleep disturbance. This could be a potentially de-stabilising effect.'He is in the process of seeking medical advice in relation to those difficulties.'After Islam launched his reign of terror in 2010, he was tracked down by police through the number plate of his girlfriend's car after he kidnapped and raped the 15-year-old in September 2010.Islam had grabbed her from behind as she walked home with a friend and bundled her into the car at knifepoint before driving to a secluded spot where he raped her twice – despite her claiming she was only 11 years old.Judge Patricia Lees said at the time: 'You told her you were going to "teach her a lesson", and similar things were said to the other women.'Those words are a chilling indictment of your very troubling attitude towards all of these victims.'You seem to observe women out at night as not deserving respect or protection.'I have no doubt that you were out that night looking for a victim, as you were on each of these occasions.'After his arrest, Islam's DNA was linked with three other attacks near his home in Barking, east London.Woolwich Crown Court heard that on July 8, 2010 he subjected a 20-year-old sex worker to 'his trademark double rape'.During her ordeal he tied her up and when she fought back he repeatedly punched her in the face and stole her wallet.She said: 'He treated me like an animal and made me feel worthless - I thought I was going to die.'A week later he struck again in Forest Gate, this time dragging a 28-year-old woman into his car and forcing her to commit a sex act.She managed to kick out the back window of his car and tried to flag down a passing vehicle as Islam strangled her. The woman eventually managed to escape and rejoin friends, who phoned the police.His fourth victim, also attacked in September, did not come forward until police found the 31-year-old's blood in the back of the car along with a knife he used to threaten his victims and plastic ties he bound them with.She was repeatedly punched in the face until she was bleeding and then tied up and raped twice.Islam, who was 21 at the time of the attacks, was convicted of seven charges of rape, one of sexual assault and one of kidnap.