Man attacked woman while she slept

Rapist jailed for 8 years

A rapist who attacked a student as she lay asleep in her bed has been jailed for 8 years.

Adam Mohammed, aged 24 and from Exeter, was found guilty of one count of rape following a trial at Exeter Crown Court. 

He’ll be on the Sex Offenders Register for life and serve two-thirds before being up for release on licence.

The court heard how in March 2021 the victim, who was a student at the time, had been socialising with friends at her accommodation block on Exeter University campus.

Several people had joined the party, including three unknown men.

At around midnight, the victim was put to bed by friends and her door was left unlocked so that friends could check in on her throughout the night. At around 2 am, the victim woke up in bed to find Mohammed raping her. She initially froze before pushing him away and fleeing to a friend’s room for help.

Police were alerted and officers carried out a search where they found Mohammed on the University grounds.

Mohammed denied the offense but was later charged with rape.

During the five-day trial in June 2023, the court heard from several witnesses, and forensic DNA evidence that traced back to Mohammed

The jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict.

Deputy Chief Constable Dave Thorne said: “Bringing this offender to justice would not have happened without the bravery of the victim, in being willing to come forward and report such a traumatic crime to us. I would like to thank and commend her for being so brave.

“This should be a warning to other men who feel they can prey on vulnerable women.

It is simply unacceptable. We will identify you and prosecute you if you choose to behave like this.”

A spokesperson for the University of Exeter said: “We are appalled by the nature of this crime. The safety and wellbeing of everyone on our campuses is always our highest priority, and our overriding concern has been, and remains, to provide support and assistance to those involved.

While instances such as this are extremely rare in Exeter and nationwide, the University has a wide range of welfare services and procedures in place to support anyone who has been a victim of crime.”