Syrian man accused of raping woman in portaloo told police he 'offered her lift home on his e-bike'

A Syrian man accused of raping a young woman in a portaloo told police she wanted to go home and he could help her by giving her a lift, a court heard today.

Today, a jury heard Mohammed Abdulla, 18, spoke to officers saying the incident was consensual, and everything happened “with excitement and gentleness".

He is facing trial at Bournemouth Crown Court with the help of an Arabic interpreter.

Abdulla, from West Drayton in the London Borough of Hillingdon, denies two separate allegations, one of rape and another of assault by penetration.

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Today, the prosecution set out its case, saying the woman, 19, had been celebrating her birthday in Bournemouth on the night of July 5, 2025, and was trying to make her way home, alone and intoxicated, when her phone died.

In the opening, Mr Eldridge, prosecuting, told the court “she saw a group of five or six men that looked to be in their early 20s” on Bournemouth Beach and approached them asking for directions when a member of the group who spoke English said “my friend will take you".

The defendant was said to have offered her a lift on his e-bike and allegedly said: “I take you."

Instead of taking her home, the prosecution told the jury she was taken to a public toilet on the beach, where the defendant allegedly “shut the door and locked it", before proceeding to rape her.

According to a statement given to police, Abdulla claimed: “I asked her, ‘If you want?’ and she said ‘Yes’ and came with me."

The court heard Abdulla said during a police interview “I asked her more than once".

The prosecution said the alleged victim was left with bruising on her lips and right leg.

When asked if he had noticed any bruising on the victim, the defendant told a police officer: “I didn’t take any notice.”

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The court heard the woman opened the toilet door after the attack to see the defendant riding back towards his friends on his bike.

She was then said to have taken her shoes off to run away and find help.

Dorset Police were called to the area and promptly took the alleged victim to Royal Bournemouth Hospital for a forensic medical examination.

Abdulla was arrested at his home on July 14 on suspicion of rape and assault by penetration.

It is understood Abdulla arrived in the UK in September 2023 as part of the Government's "Family Reunion Scheme" and his family has permanent leave to remain.

Abdulla was 16 when he came to the UK and is now studying English, as well as working part-time as a trainee barber.

The trial continues.

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