Abdelrahmen Abouelela, who entered UK illegally claiming political persecution, sentenced to eight and a half years and faces automatic deportation
An Egyptian migrant who was being housed in a four-star Hilton hotel at taxpayers’ expense has been jailed for eight and a half years for raping a woman in Hyde Park, with a judge telling him he “simply did not care” that his victim could not consent.
Abdelrahmen Adnan Abouelela, 42, lured his victim to a secluded spot in the central London park where he carried out the attack on 4 November last year, after targeting her as she walked home alone from a night out at around 9pm.
The married father-of-one had arrived in the UK illegally in April 2023, claiming he had been held as a political prisoner and tortured in Egypt. At the time of the offence, he was living in the Hampton by Hilton Hotel in Ealing, west London, which had been converted into migrant accommodation, Southwark Crown Court heard.
Judge Gregory Perrins told Abouelela during sentencing on Tuesday that he had shown complete disregard for his vulnerable victim, who was under the influence of alcohol when he attacked her.
“You thought absolutely nothing of her,” the judge said. “It must have been obvious to you that she was a woman under the influence of alcohol who was alone and vulnerable. You made the decision to take advantage of her vulnerability.”
The judge added: “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.”
Abouelela had denied the charge but was convicted by a jury on 22 May following a trial at Southwark Crown Court. The conviction means he will face automatic deportation under the UK Borders Act 2007, as his sentence exceeds 12 months.
The court heard that Abouelela approached his victim as she was walking through Hyde Park alone after a night out. He then led her to a secluded area of the park where he raped her. The Metropolitan Police have now released a photograph of Abouelela following his sentencing.
Defence barrister Kane Sharpe told the court that Abouelela had been diagnosed with emotionally unstable personality disorder and complex PTSD, conditions he suggested were linked to his alleged experiences in Egypt. However, Judge Perrins dismissed this as a mitigating factor, stating the connection between the diagnosis and the crime was “minimal.
“There is little connection between those circumstances and your decision to rape the victim on that night,” the judge said. “It’s clear to me you do not believe you have done anything wrong.”
The Hampton by Hilton Hotel where Abouelela was housed had previously been a thriving commercial hotel, scoring 3.7 out of 5 in customer reviews, with guests praising its “excellent rooms, fab staff and superior facilities”. The hotel, which formerly charged up to £200 per night for a double room, was converted to migrant accommodation and is now operated by hospitality company SD Commercial.
A Metro investigation in August revealed that staff at the hotel’s front door now explain to anyone trying to book a room that it is “private” and not open to the public. The transformation of the four-star hotel into migrant accommodation represents part of the government’s response to housing asylum seekers whilst their claims are processed.
Judge Perrins commended the victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, for her “immense bravery and courage” in giving evidence during the trial. The woman had to relive her ordeal in court as Abouelela contested the charges against him.
The case has raised questions about the screening and monitoring of asylum seekers housed in hotel accommodation across the UK. Abouelela’s wife and son remain in Turkey, the court heard, whilst he had been living alone in the Ealing hotel since arriving in Britain 18 months before the attack.
The Egyptian national’s claim that he had been a political prisoner subjected to torture in his home country formed the basis of his asylum application. However, Judge Perrins made clear that Abouelela’s presence in the UK was illegal, though he had been accommodated whilst his claim was considered.
The automatic deportation order means Abouelela will be removed from the UK after serving his prison sentence. Under the UK Borders Act 2007, any foreign national sentenced to more than 12 months’ imprisonment faces mandatory deportation unless they can demonstrate that removal would breach their human rights.
The case comes amid ongoing debate about the use of hotels to house asylum seekers, with the government spending millions of pounds daily on hotel accommodation whilst asylum claims are processed. Critics have raised concerns about both the cost to taxpayers and the lack of proper supervision in such facilities.
Hyde Park, one of London’s most famous green spaces, covers 350 acres in central London and is visited by millions of tourists and residents each year. The attack occurred in November when daylight hours are limited, with darkness falling by early evening.
The conviction and sentencing bring to a close a case that has highlighted vulnerabilities in the asylum system and raised serious questions about public safety. Abouelela showed no visible reaction as the sentence was passed, maintaining the same stance he had taken throughout the trial – that he had done nothing wrong.
For the victim, whilst justice has been served, the trauma of the attack and subsequent trial will likely have lasting effects. The judge’s recognition of her bravery in pursuing the case through the courts acknowledges the additional ordeal that victims of sexual violence face in seeking justice.
As Abouelela begins his prison sentence, authorities will begin preparing the deportation proceedings that will see him returned to Egypt upon his release. His case serves as a stark reminder of the complex challenges facing the UK’s immigration and asylum systems, and the serious consequences when those seeking refuge abuse the hospitality offered to them.
The Metropolitan Police have not released further details about the investigation, but the successful prosecution demonstrates their commitment to pursuing sexual offences regardless of the perpetrator’s background or circumstances.
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