A teenager accused of raping a 19-year-old woman in a portable toilet on Bournemouth seafront has told police that the complainant wanted to hug him and that the sexual encounter was consensual. Mohammed Abdullah, 19, from Syria but living in West Drayton, Hillingdon, is on trial at Bournemouth Crown Court. He faces charges of rape and assault by penetration, which he denies.
Prosecution's Account
Mark Eldridge, prosecuting, told the court that the complainant had been out with a friend on the night of July 6, 2025. The pair first visited Charminster before moving on to Bar So in Bournemouth, Dorset. After consuming a fair amount of alcohol, the complainant and her friends parted ways. She began walking home along the seafront, where she encountered Abdullah and his friend. The defendant offered to give her a lift home on his e-bike. They stopped at a portable toilet, where the alleged rape occurred.
Defendant's Statement
In a police interview, Abdullah stated that the complainant called out to him as he stopped to use the toilet. He claimed she said she wanted to hug him, leading to consensual sex. He described the encounter: When she came to us we were there sitting by the beach and she wanted to go home. I had the bike so I thought I could help her by giving her a lift on the bike. We took the bike. I saw the toilet cubicle, I said Wait, I want to go to the toilet. As I was going towards the toilet she shouted at me, or spoke loudly to me, she said Come and she wanted to hug me. When she hugged me she put her hand on my penis and kisses me. At this point I was excited, I said Do you want to, she said Yes, so we exchanged kisses and what happened, happened.
Abdullah further described having sex with the complainant inside the portable toilet, maintaining that it was consensual.
Background of the Defendant
Abdullah arrived in the UK from Syria in 2023 and was granted permanent leave to remain under a family reunion scheme. He denies the charges, and the trial continues.
