A court has heard disturbing allegations that an Iraqi migrant raped and sexually assaulted a woman in a shared dormitory after making a bet with her that they would have sex. The incident reportedly occurred at the Astor Hostel in South Kensington during the summer of last year, with the trial now unfolding at Southwark Crown Court.
Details of the Alleged Attack
Yousif Al-Maliki, a 31-year-old Iraqi migrant, is accused of attacking the woman following a night out drinking in Soho on July 31. According to prosecutors, the pair returned to the hostel where the woman repeatedly stated she was not interested in sex. In response, Al-Maliki allegedly made a bet that they would have sex that day, setting the stage for the subsequent alleged assaults.
Prosecutor's Account of Events
Prosecutor Jose Olivares-Chandler detailed the events to the court. He explained that after returning to the hostel, the complainant and defendant sat on a sofa in the communal lounge and cuddled, with the woman consenting to this initial contact. However, the situation escalated when Al-Maliki began touching her sexually.
The woman immediately said no and moved his hands away, but her protests were ignored. When they later went to their shared bedroom, the victim explicitly told Al-Maliki not to get into her bed, yet he proceeded to do so anyway.
Escalation of the Assault
Mr Olivares-Chandler described how Al-Maliki then engaged the complainant in sexual activity, despite her making it clear she did not want to have sex. Her words fell on deaf ears, the prosecutor stated, as the defendant continued to assault her. Fearing that other residents might see what was happening and potentially get her kicked out of the hostel, the woman retrieved a bed covering and hung it around the bed for privacy.
Even this did not deter Al-Maliki, who allegedly tried to put his hands under her shorts, prompting another refusal from the victim. The prosecutor emphasized to jurors that it was clear as day the complainant did not consent to any sexual activity and that the defendant had no reasonable belief in her consent.
Aftermath and Denial
The pair eventually fell asleep, and the next morning, they discussed the events of the night before. During this conversation, the complainant accused Al-Maliki of raping her, an assertion he disputed. The woman reported the offences to the police on August 2, leading to an investigation and arrest.
In police interviews, Al-Maliki claimed that the complainant wanted to have sex with him and was an active participant in the encounter. He insisted that at no time did she say no or stop, and suggested she only accused him of rape afterwards. Al-Maliki, who resides at the Peckham Lodge Hotel in Southwark, has pleaded not guilty to charges of rape, sexual assault, and assault by penetration.
The trial continues as the court examines the evidence and testimonies in this deeply troubling case.
