Leeds Predator Jailed for Knifepoint Rape of Teenager

A 31-year-old man has been jailed for seven and a half years at Leeds Crown Court for the knifepoint rape and attempted rape of a vulnerable teenager.

Abdi Wahab Abdulla was sentenced on Friday following a four-day trial in which he was found guilty of the sexual offences.

The defendant had previously entered a guilty plea to a further charge of theft against the same 19-year-old victim.

The court heard that the complainant had been on a night out on 14 January when he fell asleep inside the Queens Arcade in Leeds city centre.

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CCTV footage captured Abdulla entering the arcade and approaching the victim, who was in a state of extreme intoxication.

The defendant was observed searching the victim’s pockets and stealing his phone, keys, and credit card before assisting him to his feet.

The prosecution established that Abdulla then led the victim over a significant distance, initially threatening him with a knife near the Merrion Centre.

It was at this location that the defendant subjected the victim to an act of rape before moving towards Woodhouse Moor Park.

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A further attempted rape occurred in the park before the victim was able to report the incident to the police later that day.

Investigating officers identified Abdulla through CCTV analysis and he was arrested on 12 February 2023.

The defendant was subsequently linked to the offences via a forensic DNA match.

During the sentencing hearing, the judge commended the detectives from the Leeds Safeguarding unit for their work on the complex investigation.

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Detective Constable Jack Powell stated that the victim’s level of intoxication rendered him unable to consent to any sexual activity.

The officer highlighted the predatory nature of the attack, noting that the defendant had exploited a vulnerable individual for both financial and sexual gain.

Abdulla will be placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life as a consequence of the convictions.

The custodial sentence reflects the gravity of the offences and the use of a weapon to facilitate the prolonged assault.

The judge noted that the impact on the victim had been significant and that the sentence was intended to protect the public from a dangerous offender.

Abdulla will serve at least two-thirds of his sentence in custody before becoming eligible for release on licence.