A man who attempted to rape a young woman in Weymouth town centre has been jailed.
Mohammad Abdullah, aged 23 and of no fixed abode, was sentenced at Winchester Crown Court on Monday 20 July 2020 to seven years in prison after being found guilty of attempted rape at an earlier trial at the same court. The judge also ruled that he would serve an additional four years on licence.
At around 4.30am on Saturday 18 May 2019 the victim, who was 18 years old, was walking alone through the town centre when the defendant approached her and offered to walk with her.
As they reached a block of flats, Abdullah forced his victim into a communal hallway and pushed her to the floor before holding her by the throat when she screamed for help.
He then punched her twice to the face as she tried to get away and forced her to the floor again, holding her arm behind her back.
Abdullah attempted to undress his victim but a passer-by heard her screams and went to her aid. The defendant fled the scene.
Police were called and officers attended. Following enquiries, Abdullah was arrested at an address in Poole the following day. He initially gave his age as 16.
Detective Constable Lucy Johnson, of Weymouth CID, said: “This was a truly horrifying ordeal for the victim and it has understandably had a significant impact on her.
“Officers have been supporting her throughout this investigation and I would like to take this opportunity to praise her for the courage she displayed during the trial. I hope that her bravery will encourage others to have the confidence to come forward and report similar offences in the knowledge that they will help to secure convictions and be offered full support.
“I am also grateful to all the witnesses who attended court to give evidence because without them we may not have achieved this outcome.
“I am glad that thanks to our fast moving enquiries we were able to quickly identify and arrest Abdullah so he could face justice before the court.”
