A Syrian man who raped a woman in a public toilet after offering her a lift has been jailed. Mohammed Abdullah, 19, was sentenced to six years and nine months in prison on Friday, August 21, after being found guilty of rape and sexual assault by penetration.
Attack on Bournemouth promenade
On July 9 last year, Abdullah offered the victim a lift on his e-bike and took her a short distance along the promenade in Bournemouth. He then stopped and raped her in a public toilet adjacent to the East Cliff Zig-Zag, a historic pathway.
Abdullah, a Syrian national who gave his self-defined ethnicity as Arab, rode off on his e-bike following the incident, leaving the young woman distraught and alone in the toilet. A short time later, she flagged down a member of the public whilst visibly distressed and used their mobile phone to contact her mother, who then called the police.
Investigation and sentencing
A comprehensive investigation was launched and led by detectives from Dorset Police’s Major Crime Investigation Team (MCIT), which resulted in Abdullah, of the West Drayton area in Middlesex, being identified as the suspect. He was subsequently arrested and charged with rape and sexual assault by penetration.
Abdullah was found guilty of both charges following a trial at Bournemouth Crown Court on May 15, 2026. He was remanded in custody until sentencing. On Friday, August 21, he was sentenced to six years and nine months in prison and will be placed on the sex offenders register for life.
Police commendation
Detective Inspector Shaun Inkpen, of Dorset Police’s MCIT, commended the bravery of the young woman in reporting "such a horrific and terrifying sexual attack". He said: "Throughout our investigation and the subsequent criminal justice process she has shown immense strength, courage and resilience. This young woman’s evidence played a crucial role in securing Abdullah’s conviction and subsequent custodial sentence."
He added: "Reporting sexual violence is incredibly difficult. However, I hope this demonstrates our commitment to support victims of rape and sexual offences and ensuring perpetrators are held to account for such serious crimes." Inkpen thanked his investigation team and the Crown Prosecution Service’s Wessex RASSO Unit for its assistance in securing this conviction and sentence.
Victims of rape or sexual assault can report it directly to police by calling 101 and asking to be put in contact with a specially-trained police officer.
