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An ‘evil’ predator caught on CCTV raping and murdering an NHS worker on a park bench has been jailed for life.
Mohamed Iidow attacked mother-of-three Natalie Shotter, 37, as she passed out in Southall Park, west London, after a night out.
Jurors heard how the former children’s stage star had died of a heart attack caused by being verbally raped “over and over again”.
Following an Old Bailey trial, Iidow, 35, was found guilty of her rape and manslaughter.
Jurors were not informed of his previous conviction for sexual activity by attempting to woo young people online.
The court heard that Ms Shotter was a beloved mother, sister, partner, daughter and former child star of a theater production of Les Miserables.
Judge Richard Marks KC sentenced Iidow on Friday to life in prison with a minimum term of ten years and eight months.
He told Iidow that taking advantage of “exceptionally talented” Ms Shotter when she was vulnerable and unconscious was “evil and completely reckless”.
He said the suspect drove to the park “for sex” and although he was under the influence of drugs, he knew “exactly” what he was doing.
Judge Marks told Iidow: “During the approximately 15 minutes you were with her she was clearly unconscious and therefore extremely vulnerable, which would have been absolutely obvious to you. You clearly intended to rape her.”
After his arrest, the suspect told police the sex was “consensual,” which was “completely untrue,” the judge added.
Although there had never before been a recorded case of someone dying as a result of oral sex, there was a “high risk” that she would suffer really serious harm from what he did to her for “several minutes”, the judge said.
Iidow was a “dangerous offender” and had even engaged in “explicit” sexual chats online with a girl he believed to be 13 years old in August 2022 while under investigation for rape.
Outside court, Ms Shotter’s mother, Dr Cas Shotter Weetman, said she was “absolutely thrilled” about the life sentence, adding that “justice has been served” in what was a “landmark” case.
She said: “The legacy is that Natalie is going to save the lives of women and children because this dangerous monster won’t be on the streets doing the things he wanted to do.”
She said watching the video of her daughter’s last moments in court had been “painful” but “absolutely necessary” and that the impact on the whole family had been “devastating”.
Paying tribute to her daughter, she told the PA news agency: “She was an incredibly beautiful girl, very kind, generous, patient, talented, very funny, a fantastic singer and dancer – and a wonderful mother, a wonderful daughter and sister. .”
Previously, Dr. Shotter Weetman, an NHS cardiologist, her daughter as a “bundle of joy” who had starred in the hit musical at the age of 12.
Ms Shotter had secured a place at the prestigious BRIT School of Performing Arts in Croydon and had the opportunity to work in theater and television, she said.
As an adult, she became a mother of three and worked for the British Heart Foundation before landing a job in clinical administration at her local NHS hospital.
Dr. Shotter Weetman said: “She was brilliant at her job, friendly to both staff and patients.
“The day I heard Nat I felt absolutely sick and had a terrible sense of doom. I was in absolute shock.
“I later had to learn from the police that my daughter had died under these horrific circumstances.
“When Mohamed Iidow – and that is the only time I will say his name – was finally charged, I was so happy, but I realized that everything still had to come.
“It was extremely sad to watch the CCTV footage of my daughter’s rape. No mother should have to see that.”
Addressing the defendant, she continued: “Hearing the medical evidence about how you caused my daughter’s death has devastated my family.
“No woman should be afraid to go to a park and sit on a bench. It’s disgusting.
‘You went after a vulnerable woman. She was a wonderful mother, a wonderful sister and daughter, a wonderful child. We miss our beautiful girl.”
Dad Andrew Shotter remembered his ‘spirited’ daughter with ‘wonderful memories’ of performing in Les Miserables in front of thousands of people.
He said: “It was devastating to hear what happened in the last moments of her life.”
The former ambulance service worker added: “I feel powerless. In my head I’m yelling at her not to go into the park. I can’t save her from that man.’
Ms Shotter’s partner, Anthony Wilson, said in his statement that the thought of her killer made him “angry” and that his new role as a single father left him feeling “stretched in every way”.
During the trial, the court heard how Mrs Shotter was seen dancing happily in the street before heading into the park after a night out.
Jurors had seen CCTV footage of Iidow walking past the victim three times in a “predatory” manner as she sat on the sofa.
Half an hour later she was lying down and showing “no obvious movement” when the defendant “casually” approached her, prosecutor Alison Morgan KC said.
She was “deeply unconscious” as Iidow repeatedly orally raped her, even moving Ms Shotter’s body into different positions, the court was told.
The suspect then drove back to his home in Hounslow, west London, via a Shell garage, where he stopped to buy cat food and mouthwash.
Mrs Shotter, whose three children are aged between five and 19, was found dead by a passer-by in the park in the early hours of July 17, 2021.
After sentencing, Kirsty O’Connor, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: ‘Natalie Shotter had been out for the night enjoying herself and she was set upon by Mohamed Iidow. He raped her repeatedly while she was unconscious, causing her death.
“During police interviews he stated that Natalie was alive and consented to the sexual activity with him.
“The investigation was extremely complex and involved close collaboration with police and expert witnesses to establish what happened to the victim and what led to her death.
“However, CCTV footage has shown that this is not the case as the victim was unconscious throughout the attack.
“The CPS is committed to providing justice for victims of rape. Tragically, this vicious attack cost Natalie her life and we would like to express our deepest condolences to her children and loved ones at this time.
“Natalie’s family has shown extreme courage and dignity during this harrowing investigation and trial. We thank them for their support and continue to express our sincere condolences for the devastating loss of Natalie.”
Chief Inspector Wayne Jolley of Scotland Yard said: “No verdict can undo the pain that Natalie’s family have endured over the years. I commend the determination, strength and dignity they have shown.
“Iidow’s violations are shocking and difficult to comprehend. This man drove to the park that night and took advantage of a woman, who subsequently died as a result of his actions.
“Those involved in the investigation were employed throughout to prove that Natalie’s death was the result of rape. This was a complex and challenging investigation, but Iidow will now spend a significant amount of time behind bars.”
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