LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - The suspect has appeared in court after the victim's mother overheard her daughter being raped when she called her during the attack. The girl was attacked in Elswick, Newcastle upon Tyne, and threatened with a four-inch kitchen knife.

The victim's mother heard the attack when she called her mobile phone when her daughter failed to return home that evening. After hearing the rapist's voice over the phone, the mother called the police.

The suspect -- Abdul Zalah Miah has since appeared at Newcastle Magistrates Court charged with three counts of rape, kidnap, false imprisonment, making threats to kill, robbery and possession of an offensive weapon.

He reportedly showed no sign of emotion when he appeared at Newcastle Magistrates' Court, speaking only to confirm his identity.

Prosecutor Zeena Begum said that "These are extremely serious allegations."

The suspect's attorney, John Wesencraft made no application for bail.
Chairman of the bench Trevor Walton told Miah: "You are remanded in custody until January 4, 2013, when you will appear at Newcastle Crown Court."

Two women that had watched the proceedings from the public gallery and sobbed throughout the hearing, before one threw herself at the dock as Miah was taken back into custody.

The case recalls the scandalous British murder case in the 1960s - when 11-year-old Lesley Anne Downey was murdered by Ian Brady and Myra Hindley while tape recording her ordeal. The tape recording was found and used as the leading evidence in giving both Hindley and Brady life sentences.
 
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