Nigerian migrant tried to rape drunk woman after a night out – nicknamed ‘Spartan’ | UK | News

A Nigerian migrant tried to rape a woman after a night out in a UK city. Qudus Ajeyemi, nicknamed “Spartan” has been jailed for five-and-a-half years following the attack in 2023.

Hull Crown Court heard how the 27-year-old, of May Street in Hull, was in the UK on a student visa at the time and begged the victim for forgiveness over the phone. He was found guilty of attempted rape and sexual assault following a week-long trial. It has been confirmed that Ajeyemi will be deported back to Nigeria after finishing his prison sentence. He will also be on the Sex Offenders Register for life and was handed a seven-year restraining order.

As reported by the Daily Mail, the victim went to a house on Tavistock Street, in Hull, after a night out at the start of 2023. However, she met a man, identified as “Spartan”, who escorted her to a room.

The court heard how Ajeyemi touched the woman against her will and got undressed after offering her a bed because she was too drunk. After telling him to stop, Ajeyemi continued before the woman managed to push him off and flee downstairs.

The woman had reportedly drunk half a bottle of champagne and some vodka before going to the house. She was then sick in the bathroom before Ajeyemi led her upstairs.

Charlotte Baines, prosecuting, said: “Spartan led her upstairs and she lay down on the bed. She thought that he would leave her there to have a sleep. Within a few seconds, Spartan was touching her.

“She pushed him off and told him: ‘I’m not here for that.’ Her response did not deter Spartan and he touched her again.”

The victim managed to grab Ajeyemi before pushing him off and fleeing downstairs. Ms Baines continued: “She sat down on the sofa in the sitting room and started to cry.

“Some of Spartan’s friends asked her what was wrong. Spartan himself then came into the room and asked her what was wrong – knowing what he had done.”

The court heard how Ajeyemi later called the victim on FaceTime. He admitted to what he had done and apologised repeatedly before following the call with further messages asking for forgiveness.

However, the victim made records of the conversation which she gave to police in March 2023. Detectives from Humberside Police’s Protecting Vulnerable People Unit launched an investigation and identified Ajeyemi as the suspect.

Detective Sergeant Ethan Anderson, who led the investigation, said: ‘I want to start by commending the woman who came forward and reported what had happened to her; reporting this type of crime is never easy and she has displayed nothing but immense bravery and strength throughout the complex and lengthy process; from reporting the incident through to his sentencing.

“Ajeyemi preyed on the woman, taking advantage of her and attempted to rape her in a space she ought to have been safe in, around friends. The trauma and emotional damage he caused will undoubtedly stay with her for the rest of her life.

“The impact of this ordeal was only magnified by Ajeyemi’s refusal to admit what he had done, delaying the outcome for the victim and forcing her to endure a gruelling six-day trial. We take all reports of rape and sexual offences extremely seriously and continue to work relentlessly to take offenders like Ajeyemi off our streets.

“Specialist trained officers work closely with partner agencies across our force area to support victims and survivors, alongside aiding in preventing further incidents by putting perpetrators before the courts. It does not matter if it happened yesterday, a few weeks ago, or even years ago, our advice to any victim of any sexual offence is to speak to us when you are ready.

“Whether you tell a trusted adult or a friend, it is important that you tell someone. We will always do everything we can to hold those accountable for such vile crimes.

“Anyone who suspects crimes of this nature are taking place, please report it to us via our non-emergency number 101. Always call 999 in an emergency.”