A SYRIAN asylum seeker has appeared in court charged with raping a 19-year-old woman in a public toilet on Bournemouth beach.
Mohammed Abdullah is accused of carrying out the alleged attack on July 6.
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The 18-year-old appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court today charged with one count of rape and one of sexual assault.
Abdullah, who used an Arabic interpreter, pleaded not guilty to the two alleged offences.
Judge Jonathan Fuller KC said: “The matter will be adjourned for trial which will take place on May 5 next year.
“You will have to be back here on October 30 for a further case management hearing.
“You will be remanded to your bail subject to the same conditions that were imposed at this court in July.”
His conditional bail, which includes a tagged home curfew, was continued by the judge.
Abdullah arrived in Britain as an asylum seeker in 2023 and has been granted permanent leave to remain.
The student was arrested at his home in West Drayton, Middlesex, following the alleged assault.
Police were called to the public toilet in Undercliff Drive in Bournemouth, at around 1.57am on July 6.
Detective Inspector Shaun Inkpen, of the Dorset Police Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “After extensive enquiries, an 18-year-old man from the West Drayton area of Middlesex was arrested on suspicion of rape and sexual assault.
“After consulting with our colleagues in the Crown Prosecution Service, charges were authorised in respect of rape and sexual assault.
“I would like to pass on my thanks to the members of the public who have come forward and assisted our investigation.
“The victim is continuing to be supported and has been updated with the developments in the investigation.”
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