Two men have been handed 11-year prison sentences each for the rape of an 18-year-old woman in Winsford, Cheshire. The judge overseeing the case, Simon Berkson, stated that both individuals “took advantage of her vulnerable state” after meeting her in a nightclub in December 2021.
Dilgash Adil, 32, a refugee who was granted status in 2020, was convicted of one count of rape. Diyar Mohammed Abdulsalm, 28, an asylum seeker whose immigration status was under assessment at the time of the offences, was found guilty of two counts of rape. Both Syrian nationals must sign the sex offender register indefinitely.
Chester Crown Court heard that Adil plied the victim with drinks until she was “falling down” drunk. After sexually assaulting her, he then “invited” Abdulsalm to also rape the teenager at Abdulsalm’s house of multiple occupancy (HMO) in Winsford. The young woman reported blacking out repeatedly during the attack.
The prosecution, led by Denise Fitzpatrick, detailed how the men met the victim at around 00:30 GMT on 21 December 2021. Adil bought her additional drinks, leading to her becoming noticeably more intoxicated and unable to hold a conversation. The defendants offered a lift to the woman and a male friend. When the friend was dropped off, they drove away with the woman, leaving the passenger door open, before taking her to the HMO where the rapes occurred.
The victim contacted her mother at approximately 06:20 GMT, “extremely upset” and unsure of what had happened. Both defendants were arrested later that day. In her victim impact statement, the woman described no longer feeling safe, suffering from panic attacks, struggling with sleep, and experiencing anxiety around strangers.
Detective Chief Inspector Ian Murray of Cheshire Police commented outside court that Abdulsalm and Adil had “targeted a young woman who could not consent due to intoxication.” He expressed hope that the sentences would provide the victim with some closure, despite the lasting impact of the incident.