Man jailed for life after raping and killing NHS worker Natalie Shotter in London park

A man who raped and killed an NHS worker in an attack on a park bench has been jailed for life.

Warning: This article contains details readers may find distressing

Mohamed Iidow repeatedly sexually assaulted Natalie Shotter, 37, while she was passed out in Southall Park, west London, after a night out.

The Old Bailey heard the mother-of-three died of a heart attack caused by Iidow raping her "again and again".

He claimed the sexual activity was consensual but was found guilty of rape and manslaughter in October following a trial.

The 35-year-old was handed a life sentence on Friday and will serve a minimum term of 10 years and eight months in prison.

The jury was not told he had a previous conviction for sexual activity by seeking to groom young people online.

Ms Shotter was found dead by a passer-by in the park in the early morning of 17 July 2021.

Prosecutors said she was lying down and showed "no clear movement" for around half an hour before Iidow approached her "nonchalantly".

CCTV footage showed she was "deeply unconscious" during the attack as Iidow moved her body around in different positions as he raped her.

He then drove back to his home in Hounslow, west London, via a Shell garage, where he stopped to buy cat food and mouthwash, the court heard.

Ms Shotter's mother, NHS cardiology practitioner Dr Cas Shotter Weetman, paid tribute to her daughter after what she described as an "absolutely unbearable" trial.

She said her daughter was a "beautiful soul" and the "kindest girl" who would help others, and a "great mum" to her three children aged five to 19.

"She had so much to give, so much more to give," her mother added.

Ms Shotter secured a place at the prestigious performing arts BRIT School in Croydon and had opportunities to work in theatre and television, her mother said.

'Case destroyed my family'

Ms Shotter was also described as a "bundle of joy" who at the age of 12 had starred in a production of Les Miserables.

"Watching the CCTV of my daughter being raped was desperately sad to see," Dr Weetman said.

Addressing the defendant, she went on: "Hearing the medical evidence how you caused my daughter's death destroyed my family.

"No woman should have to fear going to a park and sitting on a bench. It's disgusting.

"You went after a vulnerable woman. She was a lovely mum, a great sister and daughter, a great kid. We are missing our beautiful girl."

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Judge Richard Marks KC told Iidow that taking advantage of the "exceptionally talented" Ms Shotter when she was vulnerable and unconscious was "wicked and utterly reckless".

Kirsty O'Connor, from the Crown Prosecution Service, said the investigation was "extremely complex and involved working closely with the police and expert witnesses".

She added: "During police interviews, [Iidow] stated that Natalie was alive and consenting to the sexual activity with him.

"However, CCTV footage has proved that to not be the case, with the victim unconscious during the entire attack."

(c) Sky News 2024: Man jailed for life after raping and killing NHS worker Natalie Shotter in London park