Nov 2025
A failed Egyptian asylum seeker was remanded in custody today after being charged with raping a woman in her 30s in a woodland in Bournemouth.
Mohammed Fathi Eltbie, 24, is accused of attacking the woman in an area off Maxwell Road on November 5.
The 24-year-old had his case sent to Bournemouth Crown Court for a plea and trial preparation hearing on December 18.
Dressed in a grey prison-issue sweatshirt and jogging bottoms, he spoke through an Arabic interpreter to confirm his name, date of birth.
His lawyer Selina Goddard explained that he lives in a shared house in Bournemouth, but he is not sure of the address.
Robert Salame, prosecuting, told the court that Eltbie arrived in the UK in July 2023 but his application for asylum was refused in January this year, leaving his immigration status ‘uncertain’.
He said: ‘The defendant is of uncertain immigration status with the defendant’s asylum application refused in January this year.
‘The defendant is an Egyptian national who entered the UK in July 2023.’
Ms Goddard, defending, said that Eltbie denied the offence and claimed the sexual encounter was ‘consensual’.
Neither the defendant nor the complainant knew each other, the court heard.
Dorset Police said in a statement ahead of the hearing: ‘Dorset Police received a report at 9.18pm on Wednesday November 5 2025 that a man had raped a woman aged in her 30s in a wooded area in the Maxwell Road area.
‘An investigation was launched and following inquiries, 24-year-old Mohammed Fathi Eltbie from Bournemouth was arrested on suspicion of rape.
‘Eltbie – an Egyptian national – has been charged with rape and is due to appear at Poole Magistrates’ Court on Friday November 14 2025.’
Detective Inspector Mark Jenkins, of the force’s major crime investigation team, said they have continued to provide support to the complainant and ‘she has been updated with this latest development’.
He added: ‘This matter will be subject to active court proceedings, and it is vital that the justice process is allowed to follow its course.
‘We would therefore urge members of the public to refrain from speculation or commentary relating to this case, particularly online and on social media.’
Paul Crompton, chairman of the magistrates’ panel, told the defendant: ‘This case will be at Bournemouth Crown Court on December 18 at 10am.
‘Until that date and time you are remanded in custody, we are not granting you bail because we believe there are substantial grounds to believe that you will fail to surrender to custody and if you are convicted of this offence there is a real prospect of you receiving a custodial sentence.’
Eltbie told the court he was unable to provide his address in Bournemouth because he had recently moved.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15290593/Egyptian-migrant-24-charged-raping-woman-30s-Bournemouth-woodland.html