Mum-of-Three Raped Repeatedly Before Dying on Park Bench, Court Hears
A mother of three, Natalie Shotter, was tragically raped “again and again until she died” and later found dead on a park bench, a court has heard. The 37-year-old NHS worker was attacked after collapsing during a night out in Southall, West London, on July 17, 2021. Iidow Mohamed, 35, is accused of raping and assaulting Ms. Shotter, but he has denied charges of rape and manslaughter.
Prosecutor Alison Morgan KC told the court that Ms. Shotter’s body was discovered by a passerby, lying unconscious on a park bench. “What had happened to Natalie was not clear,” Morgan explained. “She had not been stabbed or beaten to death. There were no significant visible injuries, and no one else was with her.”
Ms. Morgan noted that it took time to piece together the events leading to Ms. Shotter’s death. Crucial evidence came from CCTV footage captured from a distance, revealing what had occurred that night, as per reports Daily Mail.
The court heard that Ms. Shotter was vulnerable due to her struggles with mental health, alcohol dependency, and drug abuse. Prosecutor Morgan described how Ms. Shotter had been “out enjoying herself” when she was taken advantage of by the defendant. “She was raped repeatedly, and it was this repeated assault that caused her death,” Morgan told the court.
According to the prosecution, CCTV footage shows that Ms. Shotter appeared unconscious at the time of the assault and was unable to consent. “This defendant’s actions—the repeated rapes—caused Natalie’s death,” Morgan stated.
Jurors were told that Ms. Shotter was particularly vulnerable on the night of the attack. She was just over 5 feet tall and weighed slightly more than six and a half stone (43kg). Ms. Shotter had been drinking, and it is believed she may have also inhaled amyl nitrate, commonly known as poppers. However, Morgan clarified that the drug did not cause her death but may explain her vulnerable state.
“The prosecution’s case is that consuming substances made Natalie all the more vulnerable,” Morgan said, emphasizing that while these factors did not directly cause her death, they contributed to her being left alone and defenseless in the park.
CCTV footage played in court showed Ms. Shotter walking through the streets, talking on her phone, and later dancing with others outside a shop. She appeared happy and not overly intoxicated, according to Morgan. Jurors are expected to see further footage of the alleged assault in the coming days. Mohamed, who spoke only to confirm his name and plead not guilty to the charges, remains on trial. The case continues.