Man with ‘low IQ’ tried to rape homeless girl as she lay dying or lifeless inside tent
A Bradford Crown Court jury found Hassan Shah committed attempted rape and attempted assault by penetration against a homeless woman, 26, who was dying or already dead in a tent
The homeless man tried to rape a homeless woman he found laying either dying or dead inside a tent(Image: Gazz Hall)
A man attempted to rape a homeless woman as she lay either dying or dead inside a tent in a UK city centre. Hassan Shah was captured on CCTV entering the tent, which had been pitched in Kirkgate, Bradford, on November 8 last year.
Inside was a 26-year-old woman who was either unconscious or already deceased. Shah was then filmed laying beside the woman before removing her clothing. He made no attempt to speak to the woman or check on her wellbeing.
On Monday, Bradford Crown Court heard the woman was discovered dead when 999 crews arrived at the scene following the attack.
The court heard the woman was found dead by paramedics(Image: Ray Tang/REX/Shutterstock)
Prosecutor Mr Wright told the court: “During the entire incident you will see that (the victim) does not move. The reason that she did not move is that she was either dying or in fact dead at the time.”
Mr Wright said when emergency services arrived, it was discovered the woman had died. CCTV footage was shown to the court, reports Yorkshire Live.
Mr Wright said: “I should make it clear at the outset that (she) died for reasons unconnected to Mr Shah. She had taken synthetic cannabis or “spice” and a lot of alcohol and that is what caused her death.”
The jury were informed that a judge had previously determined that due to Shah’s low IQ and learning difficulties he was “unfit to plead” and he was absent from court during proceedings to establish whether he “did the acts” alleged against him.
Following deliberation of the evidence presented, the jury delivered unanimous findings that Shah, of Edderthorpe Street, Bradford, “did the acts” concerning charges of attempted rape and attempted assault by penetration.
Judge Kirstie Watson stated the case would need to be postponed until December for reports to be compiled before Shah could be sentenced.
Given Shah’s disability and the determination that he was “unfit to plead” he cannot receive a custodial sentence for his offences, but the judge must decide whether a hospital order, supervision order or discharge would be suitable in this case.
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