A Nigerian national, Qudus Ajeyemi, who was studying in the United Kingdom, has been sentenced to five-and-a-half years in prison after being convicted of attempted rape and sexual assault of a woman in Hull.

Ajeyemi, 27, popularly known as “Spartan,” was found guilty following a six-day trial at Hull Crown Court. He was living on May Street in Hull and was in the UK on a student visa when the offences occurred in early 2023.

The court heard that the victim had gone to a house on Tavistock Street after a night out. After drinking alcohol and feeling unwell, she accepted Ajeyemi’s offer of a place to rest and was taken upstairs to a bedroom.

Prosecutor Charlotte Baines told the court that the woman believed Ajeyemi would leave her alone to sleep. However, shortly after she lay down on the bed, he began touching her. Despite her pushing him away and clearly telling him, “I’m not here for that,” Ajeyemi persisted.

The woman eventually managed to break free and ran downstairs in distress. She sat on a sofa crying while some of Ajeyemi’s friends asked what had happened. Ajeyemi later entered the room and questioned her about why she was upset despite knowing what had occurred, the court heard.

Following the incident, Ajeyemi reportedly contacted the victim through FaceTime, admitted his actions and repeatedly apologised. He later sent additional messages seeking forgiveness.

The victim preserved records of the calls and messages and handed them over to police in March 2023, prompting an investigation by Humberside Police.

In addition to his prison sentence, Ajeyemi was ordered to be deported to Nigeria after completing his term. He was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life and made subject to a seven-year restraining order.