An asylum seeker has been sentenced to seven years in prison for the rape of an 18-year-old woman in a park, just days after the pair first made contact on the social media platform Snapchat.
Details of the Attack and Trial
Stafford Crown Court heard that Kurdish-born Mehmet Ogur, 27, forced himself on his victim on January 18 last year. At the time of the assault, Ogur was living at the Holiday Inn Express in Tamworth. Following the attack, he sent the teenager messages which the prosecution described as a "full and complete" admission of his crime.
Ogur stood trial last summer, where he denied any wrongdoing. His defence attempted to claim that Google Translate had altered the meaning of the incriminating messages he sent. The jury did not accept this explanation and found him guilty of both rape and attempted rape.
Judge's Sentencing Remarks
Passing sentence, Judge John Edwards told Ogur that the rape had inflicted "immense harm" upon the victim. Ogur, who required the assistance of a Turkish interpreter in the dock, was informed that his immigration status would be reviewed separately.
The judge stated: "Your continued stay in the United Kingdom will be for others to determine, not for me." It is understood that Ogur had arrived in Britain on a small boat just weeks before he carried out the attack.
Police Praise Survivor's Bravery
Detective Constable Samuel Infanti, from Staffordshire Police's dedicated rape and serious sexual offences unit, commended the victim's courage in coming forward. He said the conviction was a direct result of her strength.
"The survivor in this case has shown tremendous bravery in telling us about what happened," DC Infanti said. "It is because of her bravery that Ogur will now be punished for his crimes. We are determined to act robustly against those responsible for sexual offences in Staffordshire and to support survivors as much as possible."
The case highlights the ongoing work of specialist police units in tackling serious sexual violence and the critical importance of victim testimony in securing convictions.
