UK Court Convicts Nigerian Student of Attempted Rape

​HULL, UK — A 27-year-old Nigerian international student faces imminent jail time in the United Kingdom after being convicted of attempted rape and sexual assault following a harrowing incident during a night out.

​Qudus Ajeyemi—formerly a resident of May Street, off Beverley Road in Hull, who recently relocated to Manchester—was found guilty on Friday, May 29, 2026, at the Hull Crown Court.

​Following a tense trial, the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict for sexual assault, and a 10-2 majority verdict convicting him of attempted rape.

​The Incident

​The court heard that Ajeyemi, known among acquaintances by the moniker “Spartan,” was part of a group invited out for a night of socializing in Hull, which included visits to local nightclubs.

​According to prosecuting counsel Charlotte Baines, the victim became unwell after consuming a significant amount of alcohol, including vodka and champagne. Seeking respite, she went upstairs to a bedroom in a residential property to lie down and sleep.

​Ajeyemi followed the vulnerable woman into the room and began touching her intimately. The prosecution detailed how the victim repeatedly and clearly withdrew any semblance of consent, explicitly telling Ajeyemi that she was “not here for that” and demanding that he stop.

​Ignoring her protests, Ajeyemi persisted, removing her underwear and his own trousers. He then pinned the victim down in an attempt to rape her. A violent struggle ensued as the woman fought back, resulting in her being pushed off the bed before she managed to break free and flee downstairs in a state of visible distress.

​Incriminating Evidence

​While Ajeyemi maintained a denial of attempted rape during police interrogations—claiming the encounter was limited to consensual kissing and cuddling that stopped immediately upon request—his own subsequent actions heavily compromised his defense.

​The prosecution presented compelling evidence of a FaceTime call between the victim and Ajeyemi after the incident. During the recorded exchange, Ajeyemi admitted his actions were wrong and repeatedly apologized. He further compromised his position by sending a series of text messages begging the victim for forgiveness.

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​The prosecution described the victim’s testimony during the trial as both compelling and highly reliable.

​Delayed Reporting and Remand

​It emerged during proceedings that the victim initially hesitated to contact law enforcement. Her reluctance stemmed from a desire not to jeopardize Ajeyemi’s higher education prospects or his UK visa status. However, she ultimately chose to come forward out of a profound fear that he would target other women if left unchecked.

​Ajeyemi, who has no prior criminal record in the United Kingdom, had been maintaining his freedom on bail for the duration of the trial. Following the reading of the guilty verdicts, he was immediately remanded in custody.

​His student visa status and future in the UK remain highly precarious as he awaits formal sentencing, which Hull Crown Court judges are expected to hand down in the coming weeks.