Man gets 18 months in jail, probation for attack on woman

A Vernon Hills man will be in jail for the next 18 months when he is not attending mental health or sex offender counseling as a result of his attack on a woman.

Farrukh Kahn, 22, will also have to pay for any counseling the woman goes through as a result of the March 30, 2006, incident in downtown Libertyville.

The 59-year-old woman was walking home from the Metra station in the 400 block of Park Avenue about 7:15 p.m. when Kahn came up behind her.

He covered the woman's mouth with his right hand and knocked her to the ground then attempted to push up her skirt.

The woman struggled with Kahn and screamed for help. Another woman ran across the street and chased Kahn away.

Kahn was arrested at his home at 905 Westmoreland Drive a few hours after the attack based on descriptions provided by the victim and the witness.

He was convicted of aggravated battery and attempted criminal sexual abuse after a trial in February and faced up to five years in prison.

"The defendant took away my ability to feel safe on the street," the victim said in her impact statement. "He took away my dignity by attacking me and treating me like I was less than human."

Assistant State's Attorney Marykay Foy called the attack "a woman's worst nightmare" and said Kahn should be sent to prison.

"This defendant waited in a dark area and preyed on an innocent woman," Foy said. "His lack of empathy for the victim makes him a constant threat to society."

But defense attorney Mark Komessar of Chicago said Kahn has suffered from epileptic seizures since 2003 and the condition could have contributed to the attack.

He said Kahn deserved to be placed on probation because it was his first brush with the law.

"There is no way that we minimize the frightening experience the victim endured," Komessar said. "However, this was 30 seconds out of an otherwise 22-year exemplary life."

Circuit Judge George Bridges said Kahn deserved a chance at counseling but warned him against malingering.

"It is disturbing that you would see yourself as the victim and think that the actual victim has ruined your life," Bridges said. "I believe it is possible you are using this (epileptic) disorder to avoid the consequences of your actions."