Somalian asylum seeker convicted of attempted rape even though his victim has never been found

Chris Hughes:

A MAN was convicted of attempted rape yesterday even though his victim has never been found.

In the first case of its kind, Farhan Osman admitted attacking an "unknown person" after being caught in the act on CCTV.

Footage showed Osman, a 27-year-old Somalian asylum seeker, beating a terrified woman in an underpass in the early hours.

The victim, in her early 20s, was seen desperately shouting for help into the camera before Osman ripped off her clothes and tried to rape her.

He was interrupted by a well-built stranger who appeared on the scene allowing the woman to flee to safety.

Neither the passer-by or the victim have ever been found following the attack in a tunnel under the Elephant and Castle roundabout, in South London. Osman was arrested minutes later after security guards contacted police.

Yesterday, bearded Osman was brought to Inner London crown court from a psychiatric hospital after being sectioned following his arrest.

Flanked by two nurses and a prison officer, he spoke only to plead guilty during the five-minute hearing. He will be sentenced next month.

A prosecution source said: "There's never been a case like this before. Appeals were made following the attack, but no one came forward.

"Police believe the victim, who was carrying a rucksack and wearing trousers, may be a foreign student who has returned home. They are still eager to trace her. They are unsure if penetration took place."

Describing the CCTV footage, the source added: "Osman is shown beating his victim and slapping her face.

"You can't hear anything. But you can see the woman is screaming into the camera, hoping someone is watching.

"Then she's on the ground and he's pulled her clothes off and is trying to rape her.

"Two security guards spotted the attack in progress and contacted police."

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