- Shumel Anamul Ahmed hid in a bush before attacking 19-year-old victim
- Also assaulted a man who heard the victim screaming and tried to help
- Pleaded guilty to two charges of rape and assault with intent to rob
Shumel Anamul Ahmed raped a female student in a bush before assaulting a passerby who tried to help. He was jailed for 14 years on Thursday after police used a selfie to identify him
A man who raped a female student in a bush before assaulting a passerby who tried to help was jailed for 14 years after police used a selfie to identify him.
Shumel Anamul Ahmed hid in some shrubbery before pouncing on his 19-year-old victim and beating her up.
The 21-year-old pleaded guilty to rape and assault with intent to rob at Southampton Crown Court on Thursday.
The attack on February 26 started after Ahmed grabbed his victim round the neck after she became separated from friends on her way home from a night out, prosecutors said.
He repeatedly punched the woman in the head and threatened to kill her if she did not stop screaming, it was said.
The attack was stopped when a passerby, an 18-year-old man, heard the victim's screams and attempted to intervene.
Rachel Robertson, prosecuting, said: 'She knew if she struggled it would get worse. She lay there praying for help. She said: "I won't tell anyone, just don't kill me".
'Her prayers to some degree were answered when she heard someone saying "what's going on".'
Ahmed assaulted the helper, leaving him with a chipped tooth, concussion and a black eye, before trying to steal his wallet and mobile phone, the court heard.
The woman, who managed to escape, suffered a hairline fracture to her jaw.
Judge Gary Burrell, sentencing, said: 'This was a frightening attack, which has had a physical and psychological effect on both victims.
'Goodness knows what would have happened if the young man hadn't intervened because you were beating that girl up very badly and she sustained some very bad injuries.'
A few hours after the incident, Ahmed returned to the scene where he was arrested by officers guarding the area.
His hat had fallen off his head in the attack and it is thought he came back to collect it.
Police were able to identify him because a selfie on his phone showed him wearing the exact same hat that was left at the scene.
Officers also noticed he matched the description of the offender and had a number of injuries to his face and hands, as well as having mud on his clothes
Officers also noticed he matched the description of the offender and had a number of injuries to his face and hands, as well as having mud on his clothes.
Forensic tests later found both Ahmed's and the rape victim's DNA on the hat.
Ms Robertson also told how shortly before the attack, a couple driving on a nearby road had seen a man, matching Ahmed's description, chasing another woman who was running.
They felt so concerned they stopped to offer her a lift home.
Ms Robertson added: 'We can say the running lady was extremely fortunate.'
Christopher Bauer, defending, said Ahmed, who had no previous convictions for sexual assault, showed remorse.
Detective Sergeant Paul Harrison said: 'The bravery and courage of the victim has been paramount in securing this conviction, but understandably this has been a traumatic time for her.
'The length of this prison sentence reflects the gravity of this crime.
'I would also like to commend the actions of the brave young man who intervened during this incident, allowing the victim time to escape.
'The man was assaulted by the offender, but fought him off and then alerted the police.'
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