A 24-year-old Sacramento man was sentenced Wednesday to seven years and eight months for raping a female acquaintance who gave him a ride to Auburn in May.

Shirfraz Ali received the prison term from Placer County Superior Court Judge J. Richard Couzens, who also imposed fines and restitution payments of more than $4,000.

Ali entered a plea of no contest on Oct. 7 to felony charges of rape, assault using force and the unlawful taking of another person’s vehicle.

Placer County Deputy District Attorney Todd Kuhnen said the victim drove Ali to Auburn on May 29 because Ali told her he needed a ride to conduct business there. But after they drove to a rural road, he sexually attacked her and choked her, Kuhnen said.

The woman escaped by jumping out of the car and flagging down a passing vehicle. Ali then drove away in the woman’s car.

~ Staff report