Nigerian student in UK jailed, faces deportation after attempted rape conviction

A Nigerian student in the United Kingdom, Qudus Ajeyemi, has been sentenced to five-and-a-half years imprisonment after being convicted of attempted rape and sexual assault following an attack on a woman in the city of Hull.

Ajeyemi, 27, popularly known by the nickname “Spartan”, was found guilty after a six-day trial at the Hull Crown Court.

The court heard that Ajeyemi, who lived on May Street in Hull and was in the UK on a student visa, attacked the victim in early 2023 after she attended a gathering at a house on Tavistock Street following a night out.

According to prosecutor Charlotte Baines, the woman had consumed alcohol and was feeling unwell when Ajeyemi offered her a room upstairs to rest.

However, shortly after she lay down on the bed, he allegedly began touching her without consent.

“She pushed him off and told him: ‘I’m not here for that.’ Her response did not deter Spartan and he touched her again,” Baines told the court.

The victim managed to push him away and fled downstairs, where she broke down in tears before informing others present about the incident.

The court further heard that Ajeyemi later contacted the woman via FaceTime, admitted his actions and repeatedly apologised. He subsequently sent additional messages seeking forgiveness.

The victim preserved the communications and submitted them to police in March 2023, prompting an investigation by the Protecting Vulnerable People Unit of Humberside Police.

Following his conviction, the court ordered that Ajeyemi be deported to Nigeria after serving his prison sentence.

He was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life and handed a seven-year restraining order.

Reacting to the judgment, Detective Sergeant Ethan Anderson commended the victim for her courage in reporting the offence.

“Ajeyemi preyed on the woman, taking advantage of her and attempted to rape her in a space she ought to have been safe in, around friends. The trauma and emotional damage he caused will undoubtedly stay with her for the rest of her life,” Anderson said.

He added that the case demonstrated the importance of reporting sexual offences and reaffirmed the police commitment to supporting victims and bringing offenders to justice.