Iraqi national Mohammed Altaher has been convicted of a third count of rape following a trial at Aylesbury Crown Court on April 8th. The conviction came after a third victim came forward after watching an episode of ‘24 Hours in Police Custody’ detailing his previous crimes.

Third Victim Comes Forward

The Channel 4 documentary series ‘24 Hours in Police Custody’, specifically the episode titled ‘The Predator’, detailed Altaher’s previous convictions for raping two men he met on the Grindr dating app. The broadcast of this episode prompted a third victim to recount a similar experience of sexual assault that occurred in 2019, leading to the recent trial.

Details of the Crimes

Altaher, 41, exploited trust gained through online dating platforms to perpetrate violent sexual assaults. In the initial two cases, occurring in August and September of 2019, he demonstrated a callous disregard for consent, continuing sexual activity even after it was explicitly withdrawn.

Brutal Assaults and Victim Trauma

The first victim was subjected to particularly brutal treatment, including being administered the illegal stimulant MCAT before enduring repeated sexual aggression. He was penetrated with a shower hose on at least ten occasions, sustaining multiple injuries. Both victims experienced significant psychological distress following the assaults, with one describing feeling “like a Zombie.”

Sentencing and Judge's Remarks

Altaher has been sentenced to five years imprisonment, to run concurrently with his existing ten-year sentence, plus a seven-year extended licence. The judge at his initial trial in St Albans Crown Court in 2023 characterized Altaher as “arrogant, narcissistic and self-obsessed,” emphasizing his complete disregard for the rights and well-being of others.

Police Commend Victims and Documentary's Impact

Detective Constable Heather Hutchinson praised the bravery of all three victims who came forward to report Altaher’s crimes. She also highlighted the crucial role of the documentary in raising public awareness about consent and encouraging victims to seek help, stating that it demonstrates investigations handled with care, professionalism and persistence.