21 July 2020
A man who punched and attempted to rape a teenager in a town centre has been jailed for seven years.
The 18-year-old woman was attacked in Weymouth, Dorset, at about 04:30 BST on 18 May 2019.
Mohammed Abduallah, 23, approached her in a street and offered to walk with her before forcing her to the ground in a communal hallway, police said.
Abduallah, of no fixed address, was found guilty of attempted rape after a trial at Winchester Crown Court.
The defendant held the teenager by the throat and punched her twice in the face as she struggled, police said.
He fled when a passer-by heard her screams and came to her aid, officers added.
Abduallah was arrested in Poole the following day, police said.
Det Con Lucy Johnson said: “This was a truly horrifying ordeal for the victim and it has understandably had a significant impact on her.”
A judge ordered that Abduallah should serve an additional four years on licence following his release from prison.
https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/local-news/man-jailed-seven-years-attempted-4347342