Locations
New Bridge Street, Exeter, EX4
Description
A man who raped an Exeter University student as she was asleep in bed has been jailed for eight years.
Adam Mohammed, 24, of New Bridge Street, Exeter, was found guilty of rape at a trial at Exeter Crown Court in June 2023.
The rape happened in student accommodation at the university campus in March 2021.
A university spokesperson said this was an extremely rare incident and that it was supporting the victim.
As well as praising the victim's courage, Det Con Alex Powe, from Devon and Cornwall Police, said there was "no place to hide" for "predatory men".
Mohammed will remain on the Sex Offenders Register for life, the court heard.
Presiding over the sentencing, Judge David Evans said he was in no doubt that in March 2021, Mohammed had gone to the University in Exeter hoping to find a party where he would meet a woman.
The jury had heard how he had made sexualised comments during a night of socialising in the accommodation block.
Pushed him off
The victim went to bed at about midnight and left her door open so her friends could check on her as she was feeling unwell, the court was told.
Later that night, Mohammed entered the victim's bedroom and began raping her while she was asleep.
She woke up, pushed him off and ran to a friend's room, the court was told.
The student was so traumatised by what happened she moved out of her room.
Police said DNA linked to Mohammed, who denied the offence, was found on the victim's clothes.
Det Con Alex Powe, from Devon and Cornwall Police, said: "Mohammed took advantage of the victim while she was asleep.
"I am pleased that he will now serve a considerable amount of time in prison where he can no longer be a threat to women."I am incredibly grateful to the victim and her friends for the courage they have shown and their tenacity to bring this offender to justice."