Abdi Wahab Abdulla

On 14 January 2023, a 19-year-old man, who had been out for the evening and become heavily intoxicated, fell asleep inside Queens Arcade in Leeds city centre. CCTV footage captured the moment when Abdi Wahab Abdulla, a 31-year-old resident of Leeds, entered the arcade and approached the unconscious victim. Abdulla proceeded to search the victim's pockets, taking his phone, keys, and credit card, before pocketing the items.

The victim awoke during the theft, at which point Abdulla assisted him to his feet and led him out of the arcade. However, Abdulla's actions escalated into a predatory pursuit. He followed the disoriented victim over a considerable distance through the city, initially near the Merrion Centre, where he threatened the young man with a knife and forced him to perform oral sex. The assault continued as Abdulla attempted to anally rape the victim in Woodhouse Moor Park, further exploiting his vulnerability.

Realising his possessions were missing after the initial assault, the victim reported the offences to the police later that day. West Yorkshire Police reviewed CCTV images from the area, positively identifying Abdulla as the suspect. He was arrested on 12 February 2023 and later linked to the crime through a forensic DNA match. At Leeds Crown Court, Abdulla stood trial for four days, where he was found guilty of rape and attempted rape. He had previously pleaded guilty to theft from the same victim.

On 27 March 2024, Abdulla was sentenced to seven and a half years' imprisonment. The judge praised the investigative work of the detectives involved. He will also be placed on the Sex Offenders Register. Detective Constable Jack Powell of Leeds Safeguarding commented on the case, stating: 'The victim was by his own admission, and verified by CCTV footage, heavily intoxicated at the time of these offences, leaving him in an extremely vulnerable state and unable to consent to any sexual activity. Abdulla has taken advantage of this, firstly stealing the victim’s property before threatening him at knifepoint and subjecting him to horrific sexual offences.' Powell highlighted Abdulla's predatory behaviour in following the victim over a prolonged period, underscoring the significant danger he posed. The offences have profoundly impacted the victim, though the sentence aims to provide some measure of accountability.