Egyptian national Abdelrahmen Adnan Abouelela targeted vulnerable woman walking home from night out as judge condemns his ‘purely selfish’ attack
An asylum seeker who entered the UK illegally has been sentenced to eight-and-a-half years in prison for raping a woman he lured into Hyde Park as she walked home alone from a night out in central London.
Abdelrahmen Adnan Abouelela, 42, was condemned by Judge Gregory Perrins at Southwark Crown Court for targeting the vulnerable victim in November last year, telling the Egyptian national he “did not care” about the woman and was driven “purely by his own sexual desires.”
The married father-of-one approached the victim at around 9pm as she was walking alone before luring her to a secluded spot in the park where he carried out the horrific attack. The court heard the defendant, whose address was given as a Hilton hotel in Ealing, west London, was in the country illegally after arriving in April 2023 to claim asylum.
Judge’s Scathing Condemnation
In delivering his sentence on Tuesday, Judge Perrins delivered a scathing assessment of Abouelela’s actions, saying the attacker showed complete disregard for his victim’s vulnerability and inability to consent.
“It must have been obvious to you that she was a woman under the influence of alcohol who was alone and vulnerable,” Judge Perrins told the defendant. “You made the decision to take advantage of her vulnerability. You were driven purely by your own sexual desires. You simply did not care that she could not consent: you just took what you wanted.”
The judge dismissed attempts by the defence to link the crime to Abouelela’s mental health issues, stating: “It’s clear to me you do not believe you have done anything wrong.
Asylum Claim and Background
The court heard Abouelela first arrived in the UK in April 2023 and claimed asylum, citing fear of persecution in Egypt, his home country. He claimed he had been held as a political prisoner and tortured in Egypt, with his wife and son currently living in Turkey.
At the time of the offence, his address was given as a Hilton hotel in Ealing, west London, one of the four-star hotels currently being used by the Government to house migrants. Government data shows that as of June 2025, approximately 32,000 asylum seekers were being housed in hotels across the UK, representing about 30 per cent of all those receiving accommodation support.
Defence barrister Kane Sharpe told the court that Abouelela had been diagnosed with emotionally unstable personality disorder and complex PTSD. However, Judge Perrins said the connection between the diagnosis and the crime was “minimal,” adding: “There is little connection between those circumstances and your decision to rape the victim on that night.
Victim’s Bravery Praised
The judge commended the victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, for her “immense bravery and courage” in giving evidence during Abouelela’s trial at Southwark Crown Court earlier this year.
In May, jurors found Abouelela guilty of one count of rape following the trial. The victim had courageously faced her attacker in court to provide testimony that helped secure the conviction.
Automatic Deportation Order
Because he was given a prison sentence of more than 12 months, Abouelela will be subject to an automatic deportation order under the UK Borders Act 2007. This means he will be removed from the UK upon completion of his sentence.
The case comes as the Government continues to grapple with asylum accommodation challenges. The Labour government has pledged to end the use of hotels for housing asylum seekers, though has not offered a specific timeline for doing so. As of March 2025, there were 109,536 people waiting for an initial decision on their asylum application, with nearly one-third having been waiting for more than a year.
Rising Concerns Over Women’s Safety
The attack highlights ongoing concerns about women’s safety in public spaces across the UK. Research shows that nearly half of all women in the UK (41 per cent) say they take steps on a regular basis to protect themselves from sexual assault, with one in five women never walking alone at night.
Police recorded rape offences in England and Wales have increased dramatically in recent years, reaching 71,670 in 2024/25, the most recent reporting year. This represents an almost sixfold increase compared with 2002/03, though experts note this may partly reflect better reporting practices and an increasing willingness of victims to come forward.
A UN Women UK survey found that 97 per cent of women aged 18-24 have experienced some form of sexual harassment, with 96 per cent not reporting those incidents to authorities. Around 45 per cent of women who would not report sexual harassment say it is because they believe nothing would really change.
Hyde Park Attack Details
The prosecution told the court how Abouelela had deliberately targeted the victim as she walked alone after a night out in central London. He approached her and lured her into a secluded area of Hyde Park, one of London’s most famous green spaces, where he committed the rape.
The attack occurred in November last year, with the victim reporting the assault to police who launched an immediate investigation. Hyde Park, which covers 350 acres in central London, has been the scene of several serious crimes in recent years, prompting increased security measures and police patrols.
Wider Context of Asylum System
The case occurs against a backdrop of ongoing debate about the UK’s asylum system and accommodation arrangements. Government statistics show the asylum backlog has contributed to rising costs, with the UK spending around £5.4 billion on its asylum system in the 2023/24 financial year, more than twice as much as in 2021/22.
Asylum seekers housed in hotels cost the taxpayer an estimated £8 million per day at the peak of the crisis. While numbers have decreased from a high of 56,042 in September 2023, the use of hotel accommodation remains controversial, with successive governments pledging to end the practice.
Around 38,000 asylum seekers were being temporarily housed in hotels at the end of 2024, a slight decrease compared to the year before. The government has stated that hotel accommodation was always intended as a temporary solution to meet statutory obligations during periods of unprecedented arrivals.
Impact on Communities
The use of hotels for asylum accommodation has sparked debate in communities across the UK. Some local authorities have sought court injunctions to prevent accommodation providers from using hotels to house asylum seekers, citing planning concerns and impact on local services.
The Home Office has defended its approach, stating it continues to negotiate with accommodation providers to find the most affordable options whilst ensuring value for money and reducing reliance on hotels. Officials note that such accommodation relieves pressure on communities and manages asylum seekers in what they describe as a more appropriate way.
Legal Process and Conviction
Abouelela’s conviction followed a trial at Southwark Crown Court where the jury heard detailed evidence about the attack. The prosecution presented a compelling case that demonstrated how the defendant had deliberately targeted a vulnerable woman who was unable to consent to sexual activity.
The guilty verdict delivered in May represented a significant moment for the victim, who had shown remarkable courage throughout the legal proceedings. Sexual assault cases often present unique challenges for prosecutors and victims, with many survivors finding the court process traumatic.
Moving Forward
As Abouelela begins his sentence, which will see him serve at least half before being considered for release and deportation, the case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges facing both the asylum system and efforts to protect women from sexual violence.
The automatic deportation order ensures that upon completion of his sentence, Abouelela will be removed from the UK and barred from returning. This process, governed by the UK Borders Act 2007, applies to all foreign nationals sentenced to more than 12 months in prison.
For the victim, the sentence represents some measure of justice, though the impact of such attacks can last a lifetime. Support services for survivors of sexual assault continue to emphasise the importance of reporting attacks and seeking help, despite the challenges victims face in coming forward.
The case underscores the complex intersection of immigration policy, public safety, and the criminal justice system as the UK continues to navigate these challenging issues in 2025.
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Image Credit:
View of Hyde Park, London (9 July 2015) — photo by Alvesgaspar, CC BY-SA 4.0
