Locations
St Paul's Close, Hounslow, Middlesex, TW3
Description
A man has been found guilty of manslaughter and rape of a woman in Southall following an extensive Met police investigation.
Mohamed Noor Iidow, 35 (17.02.89) of St Paul’s Close, Hounslow was found guilty of rape and manslaughter on Friday, 18 October following a three-week trial at the Old Bailey.
The body of Natalie Shotter, 37, was found by a member of the public on a bench in Southall Park on Friday, 16 July 2021.
Detective Chief Inspector Wayne Jolley, from Specialist Crime South who led the investigation, said: “Iidow’s predatory attack on Natalie was disturbing and shocking.
"This man drove to the park that night and took advantage of a vulnerable woman who should have been safe.
“Even after his arrest, Iidow attempted to claim that his actions were consensual.
“This case has deeply affected those involved, due to its rarity and tragic details.
"We needed to prove Natalie’s death was caused by being raped and that involved diligent work using experts in this field to charge and now convict Iidow.
“I commend the strength of Natalie’s friends and family who have had to listen to these details throughout the trial. Iidow is now facing a long term of imprisonment.”
An investigation was launched after Natalie's body was found and enquiries revealed that Natalie had been socialising with friends in Southall before falling unconscious on a bench.
When reviewing CCTV footage from the night of the attack, detectives discovered Iidow walking past Natalie multiple times before approaching her and raping her repeatedly. He then left her on the bench and drove home.
At about 05:42hrs, a member of the public found Natalie unresponsive on the park bench and contacted the police. Officers and paramedics attended and she was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
Through CCTV examination, detectives were able to identify Iidow as a suspect and he was subsequently arrested on suspicion of rape at his home in Hounslow on 4 August 2021.
During the police interview, Iidow refused to answer most questions before he attempted to claim that the sexual activity was consensual.
Following a complex investigation, in which detectives used a range of experts to prove that Natalie’s death was linked to the rape, Iidow was charged on 21 December 2021 with manslaughter and rape.
Iidow will be sentenced at the Old Bailey on Friday, 13 December.