Leeds man sentenced for rape and theft offences against 19-year-old
Abdi Wahab Abdulla jailed for seven-and-a-half years
Last updated 30th Mar 2026
Abdi Wahab Abdulla, 31, from Harehills Avenue, Leeds, has been sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in prison after being found guilty of raping and attempting to rape a man, as well as theft. He will be added to the Sex Offenders Register.
The offences took place in Leeds on the morning of 14th January 2023. The victim, a 19-year-old man, had fallen asleep inside Queens Arcade after a night out.
Sequence of events
CCTV footage captured Abdulla approaching the victim, searching him, and pocketing his items. The victim woke up during this time and was helped to his feet by Abdulla.
Abdulla proceeded to follow the victim over a distance, threatening him with a knife and orally raping him near the Merrion Centre before attempting to anally rape him at Woodhouse Moor Park. The victim later discovered his phone, keys, and credit card were missing.
The victim reported the offences to the police on the same day. Abdulla was identified from CCTV images and arrested on 12th February 2023, further confirmed by forensic DNA evidence.
Impact and support
Detective Constable Jack Powell of Leeds Safeguarding acknowledged the victim's intoxicated and vulnerable state at the time, emphasizing Abdulla's predatory behavior.
“The victim received specialist safeguarding support throughout this investigation, and I would urge anyone who has been the victim of any sexual offence to please come forward so that you can also be safeguarded,” Powell said.
Offences against men and boys are believed to be under-reported, and DC Powell reassures male victims that they are not alone and should feel comfortable coming forward to report any sexual offences.