MOHAMMAD ABDULLAH PUNCHED AND HELD WOMAN BY THROAT IN TERRIFYING WEYMOUTH ATTACK

In a harrowing incident that unfolded in the early hours of a Saturday morning, 23-year-old Mohammad Abdullah, who was then residing without a fixed address, launched a violent assault on an 18-year-old woman in Weymouth town centre. The attack, which took place around 4:30 am on May 18, 2020, has left a lasting scar on the community and resulted in Abdullah's subsequent imprisonment.

According to Dorset Police, the young woman was walking alone through Weymouth when Abdullah approached her and offered to accompany her. As they reached a block of flats, the situation quickly escalated into a terrifying ordeal. Abdullah forcibly dragged the victim into a communal hallway, where he pushed her to the ground and then held her by the throat, causing her to scream for help. Despite her pleas, he continued his assault by punching her twice in the face and forcing her back to the floor, this time grabbing her arm behind her back in an attempt to restrain her further.

The attacker’s intentions appeared to be more sinister as he attempted to undress the woman. Fortunately, her screams attracted the attention of a passer-by, who intervened and came to her aid. Seizing the opportunity, Abdullah fled the scene before police arrived. Officers responded swiftly to the distress calls and launched an investigation that led to his arrest the following day at an address in Poole. During his initial detention, Abdullah provided a false age, claiming he was only 16.

Following a trial at Winchester Crown Court, Abdullah was found guilty of attempted rape. In July 2020, he was sentenced to seven years in prison. The court also imposed an additional four-year period on licence, ensuring he remains under supervision even after his release. The judge’s ruling underscores the severity of the crime and the community’s need for justice and safety.