Man who raped 17-year-old boy in park jailed

A man who raped a teenage boy in a park in Nottingham has been jailed.

The 17-year-old victim was walking through Forest Recreation Ground at about 23:30 BST on 18 July 2024 when he was sexually assaulted.

Mohammed Darweesh was sentenced to seven years and six months in prison at Nottingham Crown Court on Tuesday after admitting rape and attempted rape at an earlier hearing.

The 24-year-old, of no fixed abode, was given an extended licence of two years on his release, and will be on the sex offenders register and subjected to a sexual harm prevention order indefinitely.

Nottinghamshire Police said Darweesh began to "pester" the teenage boy as he walked through the park and blocked his way.

The boy believed Darweesh was armed with a knife and agreed to follow him away from the path before the sexual assault took place, the force said.

Darweesh fled from the scene on foot.

Police said he was later struck by a car in Mapperley Road at around 04:00 the following day and was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

Darweesh was identified as a suspect following forensic inquiries and was arrested when he was released from Queen's Medical Centre.

Det Con Richard Robertson said: "This was an appalling crime that understandably cause considerable distress in the community.

"The teenage victim was walking through the park when he was targeted and attacked by Darweesh.

"The victim was traumatised by what happened and this is likely to have a lasting impact upon both him and his family."

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