UMER SAJJAD'S SHOCKING CRIME IN BIRMINGHAM AND CARDIFF HOTEL ROOM
In a disturbing case that has shocked the local community, Umer Sajjad, a 24-year-old man from Birmingham, was convicted of a serious sexual offence that took place in Cardiff.The incident occurred in 2019 at the Village Hotel in Cardiff, where Sajjad took advantage of a woman while she was asleep, leading to a traumatic experience for the victim.
According to court proceedings, Sajjad had been out on a night of socialising in Cardiff city centre on October 6.
After a night of drinking, he returned to the hotel with the woman.
It was agreed that Sajjad could sleep on the floor of the hotel room, but in the early hours of the morning, he chose to get into the bed with the woman.
While she was unconscious, Sajjad engaged in non-consensual sexual activity, which was later confirmed by the victim when she awoke to find him having sex with her.
The court heard that Sajjad claimed he had consumed alcohol for the first time that night due to his religious beliefs, and he believed that this might have affected his inhibitions.
He admitted to pulling down some of the victim’s clothing and penetrating her without her consent.
During the sentencing, Recorder Dyfed Thomas emphasized the gravity of the offence, stating, “She was asleep, could not have consented, and did not consent.” When the victim confronted Sajjad after waking up, he stopped his actions and apologized.
She then went to the bathroom and later confided in a friend about what had happened.
The police were subsequently called, leading to Sajjad’s arrest.
Despite initially denying the offence, Sajjad was found guilty of rape by a jury following a trial at Cardiff Crown Court.
Sajjad, who resides on Gillott Road in Birmingham, was described in court as being of previous good character, which was taken into account during sentencing.
The victim’s personal statement was read aloud in court, revealing the profound impact the assault had on her life.
She expressed feelings of devastation, stating, “The day I was raped destroyed me in so many ways and I don’t think I will ever understand… He ruined my life by lying and pretending I would have consented.
How could I when I was asleep?
He’s ruined my life and my children’s lives as they will never get the old me back.
I’ll never understand why he did this to me….” She further described the ongoing emotional pain, saying, “He violated me in the worst way possible… I still cry as though it happened yesterday.
I felt violated and will never forget what happened no matter how much support I get… I feel like I died inside after being raped.
Every day is a constant struggle but I owe it to myself and my family to come out the other end now justice has been served.” Defense lawyer Stephen Tettey argued that Sajjad lacked maturity and had made a poor decision to engage with the victim while she was intoxicated.
He highlighted his client’s previous good character and noted that there had been no further incidents since this offence.
However, Recorder Dyfed Thomas condemned Sajjad’s actions, stating, “You committed this offence by taking advantage of a young woman while she was asleep and may have been feeling the effects of the night before with substances and drink having been consumed.
She was clearly asleep… There is no-one to blame for this offence but you.
You took advantage of a young woman as she slept and raped her… You simply saw an opportunity to take advantage for your own selfish sexual gratification.” As a result, Sajjad was sentenced to six years and six months in prison.
He will serve approximately two-thirds of this sentence before being eligible for release on licence.
Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender indefinitely, reflecting the seriousness of his crime and the ongoing risk he poses to the community.
