Man jailed after raping Newcastle student on way home from night out in city centre
Marwen Darwish was also found guilty of stealing her phone and selling it
Emmie FosterA man has been jailed after being found guilty of raping an “incredibly intoxicated student” in Newcastle city centre.
The teenage victim had been walking home from a night out when she was attacked by 23-year-old Marwen Darwish who then carried her into a nearby alley and raped her.
After the attack, Darwish left the victim lying in the street. He denied any role in the crime until he was shown CCTV that proved he was the perpetrator, reports ChronicleLive.
Darwish also steal the victim’s phone which he then sold in Manchester days after the attack.
Newcastle Crown Court was informed that the victim had been walking home in the early hours of the morning after a night out in Newcastle.
Recorder Tony Hawks detailed facts of the case and said: “She was in a highly vulnerable and distressed state. Any decent human being would, seeing her in that condition, have gone to her assistance or called the emergency services.
You did neither. What you do in effect, was carry her to a secluded alleyway, taking advantage of her condition, and rape her.”
The judge further added: “Having done that, you added insult to injury by stealing her mobile phone. You then sold it in Manchester. You raped her and stole from her, you walked away from her with utter contempt for her wellbeing or safety.
“It’s inevitable that any contact of this sort will have a lasting effect on the victim, regardless of whether they can remember what happened or not.”
The court was informed that Darwish had been living in Byker after moving from Algeria in October last year. Despite pleading guilty, Darwish claimed in his defence he lacked knowledge and understanding of UK law, especially in regard to consent.
However, his claims have been heavily dismissed by the court and Recorder Hawks who said: “I do not accept there was cultural confusion in this case. It must have been obvious to any human being, no matter where they come from, that this was a serious crime.”
Darwish was sentenced to eight years in jail and will be deported upon release.
According to prosecutor Claire Wright, Darwish claimed in his first interview with the police that he was with only one woman in a bar before leaving alone, although CCTV captured his whereabouts around the city. This weakened his alibi before proving he committed the brutal assault on the female victim.
Darwish told police the woman gave full consent, however, Wright believes: “It is very clear from the evidence that his victim was so heavily intoxicated that she lacked the capacity to give informed consent. Darwish’s actions following the attack also suggested that he was aware that he had forced himself upon his victim against her will.
“The Crown Prosecution Service has worked very closely with Northumbria Police to build a robust case against Marwen Darwish, which has led to him pleading guilty to multiple charges against him. The impact of his actions on his victim have been significant and we sincerely hope that she can find some measure of comfort in seeing her attacker sentenced today.”