Mohamed Iidow, 35, has been found guilty of the rape and manslaughter of Natalie Shotter, a 37-year-old NHS worker, who was attacked while unconscious on a park bench in Southall, west London, in July 2021. The trial at the Old Bailey heard that Iidow orally raped Shotter “until she died” after she apparently passed out following a night out.
CCTV footage showed Iidow with his shorts around his ankles and his groin close to Shotter’s head as she lay on the bench, appearing unconscious. In his police interview, Iidow claimed Shotter had approached him and offered sexual services, but he did not give evidence in his defence.
Prosecutor Alison Morgan KC told the jury that Shotter, who had three children and struggled with mental health and alcohol issues, was vulnerable and weighed just over 41kg. The cause of death was “unascertained” in pathology reports, but Morgan argued that the rape led to a heart attack.
Shotter’s mother, Dr Cas Shotter Weetman, a cardiology practitioner, campaigned for justice for her daughter. Speaking after the verdict, she said: “We are celebrating getting justice for Natalie. All of the family are jubilant and ecstatic about the verdict.”
Detective Chief Inspector Wayne Jolley from the Metropolitan Police described Iidow’s attack as “predatory” and “disturbing and shocking”, noting that the case required expert evidence to prove that Shotter’s death was caused by the rape.
