Kemalettin Kurt

On 27 October 2019, shortly after 4am, Kemalettin Kurt, a 28-year-old man from Enfield, targeted a vulnerable woman in her 20s who suffered from a sleep condition that caused her to fall asleep suddenly without warning. The incident occurred at a house party in a mutual friend’s flat following a night out at a nightclub off Tottenham Court Road in London.

The victim had been introduced to Kurt earlier that evening while out with friends. As the group returned to the flat for an after-party, she fell asleep on the sofa due to her condition. Her friends carried her to a bed to rest, where Kurt took advantage of her unconscious state to carry out the assault, including sexual assault and assault by penetration. He fled the premises shortly afterwards.

Upon waking, the victim realised what had happened and confided in her friends, who encouraged her to report the attack to the police. Forensic examination revealed Kurt’s DNA on the victim’s underwear, leading to his identification and arrest by the Metropolitan Police.

The case proceeded to Southwark Crown Court, where Kurt was found guilty of the charges. On 27 June 2023, he was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment, with an additional two years on extended licence. He was also placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life. The sentencing reflects the severity of exploiting a vulnerable individual unable to consent or resist due to her medical condition.

In a statement released through the Metropolitan Police, the survivor emphasised the importance of reporting such incidents promptly to preserve evidence like DNA. She stated: “I really want others who have been in a similar situation to have the courage to report the incident. I also cannot stress the significance of reporting an incident sooner. It means you can collect the evidence whilst it’s still fresh in your mind and collect any DNA before it goes away.” She further urged survivors to seek justice directly at police stations rather than online for more immediate support.

Detective Sergeant Henh Song of the Metropolitan Police’s North East Command commended the victim’s bravery, saying: “This man took complete advantage of a vulnerable woman. I would like to commend the victim for her bravery throughout the investigation and her willingness to give such strong evidence in court. I know this sentencing will not take away her trauma but I hope it offers her some justice.” The case underscores the police force’s commitment to supporting sexual assault survivors and pursuing perpetrators through forensic evidence.