A woman shares her trauma after a sexual assault following a night out
London: A woman’s life has been completely shaken after a sexual assault on her way home from a night out. It’s a tough situation that no one should have to face.
Abdala Aweys, a Dutch national, was sentenced after he attacked her on July 21. She was just trying to get home from Shepherd’s Bush when things took a dark turn.
At around 4 a.m., she got to Bank station and was unsure of her way. That’s when Aweys approached her, suggesting she follow him. It’s so unsettling how quickly things can change.
She started chatting with a security guard nearby, but Aweys slipped away and hid. Once she was alone, he came out and followed her, which is just terrifying.
CCTV footage showed him catching up to her, pinning her against a wall, and assaulting her. The attack lasted about 25 minutes, and she kept telling him to stop. It’s heartbreaking to think about.
Afterward, she managed to escape on a bus, but he followed her. She even recorded him on her phone, which is pretty brave. Eventually, she reported the incident to the police.
Aweys was caught after using his bank card on the bus. He was arrested on August 7, claiming everything was consensual, which is just infuriating.
On November 8, he changed his plea to guilty for two counts of sexual assault and one count of sexual assault by penetration. He received a five-year and four-month sentence, plus three years on license.
In court, the victim shared how the assault changed her life. She said she feels paranoid and on edge, no longer the carefree person she used to be. It’s so sad to hear how deeply this has affected her.
Detective Constable Raeven Headlam from the City of London Police expressed admiration for the victim’s bravery. She emphasized how important it was for the victim to come forward, helping to take a dangerous predator off the streets.