A Nigerian student in the United Kingdom has been convicted of attempted rape and sexual assault after a court found that he ignored a woman’s repeated pleas to stop during an incident in Hull.
Qudus Ajeyemi, 27, who previously lived on May Street in Hull and later moved to Manchester, was found guilty by a jury at Hull Crown Court on Friday, May 29, 2026. Jurors returned a majority verdict of 10 to 2 on the charge of attempted rape and unanimously convicted him of sexual assault.
The court heard that the incident happened after a night out in Hull involving a group of friends. Prosecutors said the victim had consumed alcohol during the evening and later returned to a house with others, including Ajeyemi, whom she had met only once before.
According to the prosecution, the woman became unwell after drinking and went to the bathroom before sitting on a sofa downstairs. Ajeyemi then suggested that she go upstairs to rest.
Prosecutor Charlotte Baines told the court that the woman believed she would be left alone to sleep. Instead, Ajeyemi allegedly followed her into the bedroom and began touching her.
The court heard that the woman immediately pushed him away and told him she was “not here for that.” Despite her objections, he allegedly continued making advances and touched her intimately.
She repeatedly told him to stop and made it clear that she did not consent. Prosecutors said Ajeyemi ignored her refusals and attempted to force himself on her.
During the struggle, the woman managed to free herself, grab her underwear and run downstairs in distress. She reportedly broke down in tears in the sitting room while some of Ajeyemi’s friends asked what had happened.
In a twist that later became key evidence, the woman contacted Ajeyemi after the incident and arranged a video call with him. During the conversation, prosecutors said he admitted his actions and apologised.
The court heard that Ajeyemi told her: “I admit everything that happened. Everything. I admit it. I am wrong. I did something that was very wrong.”
He also sent text messages apologising and asking for forgiveness.
Despite the incident, the woman initially chose not to report the matter to police. The court was told she was concerned that doing so could affect Ajeyemi’s education and immigration status as an international student.
However, she later changed her mind, fearing that he could target another woman if no action was taken.
Police launched an investigation and interviewed Ajeyemi in December 2023.
During questioning, he denied attempting to rape the woman. He claimed they had gone upstairs together because she was tired and said they had kissed and cuddled. He told investigators that when he suggested taking things further, she declined and he respected her decision.
The jury rejected his version of events after more than eight and a half hours of deliberations.
Following the verdict, defence lawyer Rachel Scott told the court that Ajeyemi had no previous criminal convictions and understood that a prison sentence was now unavoidable.
Although he had remained on bail throughout the trial, the judge ordered that he be remanded in custody pending sentencing.
