MOHAMMED ABDULLAH SENTENCED IN PLYMOUTH FOR RAPE AND SEXUAL OFFENSES
A man identified as Mohammed Abdullah, aged 34 and with no fixed address but previously residing with his sister on King Street in Plymouth, has been convicted of raping a vulnerable teenage girl in a dark alleyway in the city center.Following his conviction, Abdullah was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison and will face deportation upon release.
The incident took place on October 22, 2022, and the court proceedings revealed disturbing details about the case.
Abdullah denied the charges, claiming he did not commit the acts of sexual assault against the teenage victim.
However, after eight hours of deliberation, a jury composed of eight women and four men at Plymouth Crown Court found him guilty based on the evidence presented.
The court heard that Abdullah had attempted to deny the offences dishonestly, even forcing the victim to testify and relive her traumatic experience during the trial.
Prosecutor James Waddington highlighted that Abdullah, an Algerian national, was caught on CCTV footage approaching multiple women in the vicinity of the Sundial in Armada Way during the evening and early hours of October 22.
The footage showed Abdullah engaging with women, some of whom later came forward to police.
One woman, who saw Abdullah’s image on PlymouthLive after his arrest and court appearance at Plymouth Magistrates' Court, reported that he had asked her for directions to a sex worker.
Other women were traced by authorities, revealing that Abdullah had solicited sexual services from them both before and after the assault.
The victim, whose identity remains protected for legal reasons, was at a nearby hotel after an evening out with her boyfriend.
She left the hotel carrying a bottle of wine and, in a state of confusion and anxiety, considered staying with a trusted friend instead of returning to her hotel.
The court was shown CCTV footage of her walking through the city center, as well as images of Abdullah, who was initially seen with a woman he claimed was his girlfriend named Tina.
During police interviews, Abdullah did not mention Tina, only referencing her during the trial.
When cross-examined, he was unable to provide details about her residence, full name, or occupation, only describing her as a nurse and stating they were still getting to know each other.
Abdullah claimed that the victim beckoned him into the alley and that he entered out of fear she was attempting to mug him for his phone and the £20 he had on him.
He further alleged that she began to talk about money, grabbed his penis, and performed oral sex on him before pulling away to ask for more money.
The prosecution highlighted that Abdullah had told police he thought she was a prostitute based on her attire and her repeated passing by him that evening.
When a tracker dog found semen in the alley, Abdullah claimed it was there because he had masturbated after the victim left.
He also suggested that she had planted the idea of sex in his mind, prompting him to seek out a sex worker.
The jury rejected Abdullah’s account, considering it a series of lies.
They found that his claims about Tina and his intentions were fabricated, and that he approached other women that night with the intent of having sex.
The court also heard that Abdullah had previously worked in Algeria for the Ministry of Education, specifically in an office related to the residency of female university students, and that he was a chef until an injury to his back caused him to leave that employment.
The victim’s impact statement was read aloud in court, revealing the profound and lasting effects of the assault.
She expressed how the incident has significantly affected her self-esteem, making her overly conscious of her appearance and reluctant to go out.
She shared her feelings of discomfort with her own body, her loss of trust in men, and her distress over the gossip and judgment from others.
The victim stated she no longer wished to remain in Plymouth to continue her studies, as the city’s center and the trauma associated with that night serve as painful reminders.
She described her struggle to return to normal life, feeling as though all men are capable of such acts, a stark change from her previous outlook.
She also expressed guilt, blaming herself for not bringing her headphones and returning to the hotel, which she believed led to her being targeted.
The victim concluded by saying she wanted to forget everything, but acknowledged that the incident has changed her life forever and hoped it would not ruin her future.
Judge Peter Johnson delivered the sentence, criticizing Abdullah for his continued approach to women both before and after the assault, including his loitering around the Sundial area asking for sex or directions to sex workers.
The judge emphasized Abdullah’s encounter with the victim, who was already in a highly distressed state, and dismissed his claims of misunderstanding.
He described Abdullah’s assertions as preposterous and an attempt to evade justice.
Judge Johnson highlighted the severe and enduring impact of Abdullah’s crimes on the teenage girl, emphasizing that she should not feel shame for what happened, as she was not responsible.
He pointed out that Abdullah’s pre-sentence report showed he still denied any wrongdoing and lacked remorse.
Considering all factors, the judge sentenced Abdullah to eight and a half years in prison, with the time served (194 days) deducted from the sentence.
Abdullah is expected to be released after serving two-thirds of his term, approximately five years and eight months, at which point he will be subject to deportation.
Furthermore, Abdullah will be placed on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely and will be barred from working with vulnerable adults and children for the rest of his life.
Detective Chief Inspector Darren Roach commented on the case, describing it as particularly disturbing and impactful on the community.
He praised the swift response of officers, who identified the scene, collected forensic evidence, and located Abdullah within hours despite his initial anonymity.
Roach commended the bravery of the victim and her family, acknowledging their resilience throughout the investigation and court proceedings.
Roach reaffirmed the police’s commitment to protecting women and girls, emphasizing that violence against them remains a top priority.
He also expressed gratitude to the Crown Prosecution Service and the officers involved for their diligent work in handling such a complex case, which involved multiple witnesses and extensive evidence.
The police hope that the sentence provides some reassurance and justice for the victim, and serve as a reminder of their ongoing efforts to combat violence and sexual offenses in Plymouth.
