by A man has been convicted of the rape and murder of a vulnerable NHS worker who was attacked while she was unconscious on a park bench. Natalie Shotter was repeatedly sexually assaulted by Mohamed Iidow when she passed out in Southall Park, west London, after a night out.
After an Old Bailey trial, Iidow, 35, was found guilty of rape and manslaughter on Friday. His victim’s mother, NHS cardiology practitioner Dr Cas Shotter Weetman, said after the verdict: “We are delighted for her children and that we have finally achieved justice, after three and a half years, for Nat.” She said her daughter was a “beautiful soul”.
Jurors who had to hear the collateral evidence were not told about Iidow’s previous conviction for sexual activity by attempting to stalk young people online. In legal arguments before the trial, prosecutor Alison Morgan KC also gave an account of “historical” communications with other people.
The court was told they were involved in hiring others for “sexual services”. It was also suggested that he discussed his “interests with the concept of rape”.
The court was told earlier how the 37-year-old mother died of a heart attack after Iidow raped her “repeatedly”. CCTV footage was shown of Mr Shotter earlier in the night sitting on a bench with another man.
The defendant could be seen walking past and looking at them. Miss Morgan said: “What was the defendant doing there, what was he trying to do, walking up and down the pavements in the middle of the night and thinking what must have been his motives – a vulnerable woman who seek to rape.”
Iidow then drove off in his car but later returned, jurors heard. Ms Shotter was lying, showing “no apparent movement” for about half an hour before the defendant approached her “in vain”, Mr Morgan said.
She said the victim was “very unconscious” during the attack. Other CCTV showed Iidow moving Miss Shotter’s body around in various positions as he raped her.
Iidow then drove to his home in west London, via a Shell garage where he stopped to buy cat food and mouthwash. Ms Shotter’s body was found in the park by a passer-by in the early morning of 17 July 2021.
DNA samples from her mouth matched the samples taken from the defendant. Iidow was arrested at his home on 4 August 2021 but told police the sexual activity was consensual.
Ms Morgan also rejected any suggestion that Miss Shotter was dead before Iidow attacked her saying: “The prosecution’s case is that Natalie died because of what this defendant did to her. She was not dead at the time the defendant was being verbally raped, it will be a question for you to consider – that this defendant went to the park for a reason.
“He wouldn’t have tried to have sex with a dead body for more than 15 minutes. He had sex with someone he knew who was alive but very unconscious and therefore he was raping her.”
Iidow denied the charges against him but refused to testify. The jury found him guilty and he was remanded in custody to be sentenced on December 13.
Miss Shotter’s mother, who has worked for the NHS for 45 years, added: “We are celebrating, obviously delighted, delighted with the result. I can’t tell you what it means to us.
“She was a beautiful, beautiful girl, NHS worker, worked for charities, mother of three, just the most amazing soul, (and) kind. She had so much to give, so much more to give.”
Detective Chief Inspector Wayne Jolley, who led the Scotland Yard investigation, said: “This man drove to the park that night and took advantage of a vulnerable woman who should have been safe. Even after his arrest, Iidow tried to claim that his actions were consensual.
“This case has deeply affected those involved, due to its rarity and tragic details. We had to prove that Natalie’s death was caused by rape and that involved painstaking work using experts in this field to charge and now convict Iidow.
“I commend Natalie’s many friends and family who had to listen to these details during the trial. Iidow now faces a long prison term.”
Kirsty O’Connor, from the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “The victim was on a night out enjoying herself and was preyed upon by Mohammed Iidow. He raped her repeatedly, while she was unconscious, which led to her death.
“The investigation was extremely complex and involved working closely with the police and expert witnesses to find out what happened to the victim and what caused her death. During an interview with the police, he said that the victim was alive and that he had consented to the sexual activity with him. However, CCTV footage proved this was not the case, with the victim unconscious throughout the attack.
“The CPS is determined to provide justice for rape victims. Tragically, this vicious attack cost the victim her life and we would like to express our heartfelt condolences to her children and family at this time.”
