MOHAMMED ABDULLAH SENTENCED TO SEVEN YEARS FOR RAPE IN ABERDEEN

A 19-year-old man named Mohammed Abdullah has been handed a seven-year prison sentence after being convicted of raping an 18-year-old woman in Aberdeen. The incident took place on August 17, 2021, and the case garnered significant attention during the proceedings at the High Court in Edinburgh.

According to court reports, Abdullah, who had recently arrived in Scotland from Sudan in search of a better life, targeted his victim shortly after she left the Prohibition bar located in the heart of Aberdeen’s city centre. The court heard that Abdullah was waiting outside the nightclub, where he was observed taking photographs of women dancing in the street, seemingly monitoring their movements before the assault occurred.

Evidence presented during the trial included CCTV footage that captured the entire sequence of events. The footage revealed Abdullah lurking outside the nightclub, and later, the assault itself, which was accompanied by the sound of the woman screaming. The video also showed the victim dressed in pink clothing, adjusting her attire after the attack, and beginning to chase her attacker in an apparent attempt to confront him.

Following the assault, police detained Abdullah, who was found to have limited English language skills. An online interpreter was used to facilitate communication during questioning. The authorities discovered that Abdullah had no prior criminal record, but assessments indicated he posed a moderate to high risk of reoffending sexually in the future.

During the sentencing hearing, Lord Ericht emphasized that the victim and Abdullah had no prior acquaintance, and that the attack was unprovoked, occurring after they met outside the club. The court also reviewed footage from a guest house on Bon Accord Street, which showed Abdullah entering with the woman. The woman was heard repeatedly saying “no” and expressing concerns about her bank card and her boyfriend, indicating her distress and resistance during the encounter.

Physical evidence confirmed Abdullah’s clothing matched the description seen in the footage—black clothes and a blue top. His solicitor highlighted his social isolation in Scotland, noting minimal contact with family members, and pointed out that he would be required to remain on the Sex Offenders Register for life. Despite these mitigating factors, the judge underscored the seriousness of the crime and the impact on the victim.

In light of the evidence and in accordance with guidelines for young offenders, Lord Ericht sentenced Abdullah to seven years in prison, sending a clear message about the severity of sexual violence and the importance of justice for victims in Aberdeen.