Asylum Seeker Jailed for Attempted Rape in UK
A failed asylum seeker who arrived in the UK by small boat has been sentenced to six years in prison for an attempted rape in Hereford.
Mehmet Bulut, 31, was convicted of attempted rape after a late-night attack on August 2.
CCTV footage showed Bulut following the woman into a subway in Hereford at approximately 4 a.m. before launching a violent assault. Prosecutor Simon Phillips told Worcester Crown Court that Bulut initially removed some of the victim's clothing before leaving and then returning to attempt the assault again.
The victim reportedly told Bulut to "f*** off," to which he responded, "Just sex, just sex." Police arrested Bulut later the same day after identifying him as working at a local restaurant.
During questioning, Bulut stated he had been heavily intoxicated and expressed shock at his actions when shown the CCTV evidence. He told officers, "I don't know, I don't know, I swear to God I don't know," and added, "If you bring her here, I will kiss her hands and feet and ask for forgiveness."
Bulut's defense attorney, Dean Easthope, described the cultural comment as non-sexual and stated his client was disgusted by his behavior. The court heard Bulut arrived in the UK on a small boat on Boxing Day 2022. He is described as a Turkish-Kurd with no fixed address and no prior convictions.
Judge Simon Drew KC characterized the CCTV footage as "shocking" and labeled Bulut a "dangerous offender whose actions were terrifying." Bulut pleaded guilty to one count of attempted rape and received a six-year prison sentence, along with an additional three years of extended license. The judge indicated it was his understanding that Bulut would be deported as an asylum seeker who had absconded.