Abdelrahmen Adnan Abouelela

An asylum seeker has been sentenced to eight and a half years in prison for raping a woman in Hyde Park, central London. Abdelrahmen Adnan Abouelela, a 42-year-old married father of one, targeted the victim as she walked home alone from a night out in November 2024.

The incident occurred when Abouelela approached the woman, who was under the influence of alcohol and visibly vulnerable. He lured her to a secluded area within the park, where he carried out the rape. The Metropolitan Police investigated the case, leading to Abouelela's arrest. He claims to have been a political prisoner tortured in Egypt and arrived in the UK in April 2023 seeking asylum, though he is in the country illegally. His wife and son reside in Turkey.

During the trial at Southwark Crown Court, Judge Gregory Perrins addressed Abouelela directly, stating: "You were driven purely by your own sexual desires." The judge highlighted the victim's vulnerability, noting: "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." Perrins further remarked: "You simply did not care that she could not consent: you just took what you wanted."

Jurors found Abouelela guilty of one count of rape on 22 May 2025. The judge commended the victim for her immense bravery and courage in providing evidence. Due to the sentence exceeding 12 months, Abouelela faces an automatic deportation order upon completion of his term. The case was heard at Southwark Crown Court, with details reported by BBC News on 16 September 2025.