A failed asylum seeker has appeared in court charged with raping a woman in Bournemouth.
Mohammed Fathi Eltbie allegedly attacked the woman, who was unknown to him, in a wooded area off Maxwell Road on 5 November.
Appearing at Poole Magistrates’ Court on 14 November, Eltbie confirmed his name and date of birth with the assistance of an interpreter.
The court heard that the 24-year-old Egyptian arrived in the UK in July 2023, but his application for asylum was refused, and his status is now “uncertain”.
Selina Goddard, defending, said that Eltbie denied the offence and claimed the sexual encounter was “consensual”.
Paul Crompton, chairman of the magistrates’ panel, said the accused would remain in custody until he enters a plea at Bournemouth Crown Court on 18 December.
He said: “We are not granting you bail because we believe there are substantial grounds to believe that you will fail to surrender to custody, and if you are convicted of this offence there is a real prospect of you receiving a custodial sentence.”
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Eltbie was unable to give the court his address in Bournemouth because he had recently moved.
Detective Inspector Mark Jenkins, of the force’s major crime investigation team, urged the public to avoid speculation.
He said: “We have continued to provide support to the victim, and she has been updated with this latest development.
“This matter will be subject to active court proceedings, and it is vital that the justice process is allowed to follow its course.
“We would therefore urge members of the public to refrain from speculation or commentary relating to this case, particularly online and on social media.”
