A Nigerian migrant nicknamed 'Spartan' who tried to rape a woman after a night out has been jailed for five and a half years.

Qudus Ajeyemi, 27, who was in the UK on a student visa, was convicted after his victim recorded him begging for forgiveness over the phone.

Ajeyemi, of May Street in Hull, touched the woman against her will and got undressed after offering her a bed because she was too drunk.

He was found guilty of attempted rape and sexual assault following a week-long trial that concluded at Hull Crown Court on May 26, and was remanded in custody until yesterday's sentencing.

Ajeyemi will be deported back to Nigeria after finishing his sentence and will be on the Sex Offenders Register for life, while he was also handed a seven-year restraining order.

Officers received a report in March 2023 from a woman who said she had suffered a traumatic encounter after a night out a few weeks earlier.

After returning from a night out to a house on Tavistock Street in Hull, she was escorted to a room by a man she identified as Spartan.

She had only met him briefly once before, and did not know his full name.

Charlotte Baines, prosecuting, told the trial that Ajeyemi had been part of a group who went to a 'party' night out in Hull, which included a stint in a club.

His victim drank half a bottle of champagne and some vodka, before returning to Ajeyemi's house, where she was sick in the bathroom.

After she sat on a sofa downstairs, Ajeyemi asked her if she wanted to go upstairs for a nap. 

Ms Baines said: 'Spartan led her upstairs and she lay down on the bed.

'She thought that he would leave her there to have a sleep. Within a few seconds, Spartan was touching her.

'She pushed him off and told him: "I'm not here for that." Her response did not deter Spartan and he touched her again.'

The woman told him: 'Stop. Don't touch me,' and could see that Ajeyemi had undressed.

When she grabbed him to try to stop him, he pushed her - and she fled down the stairs.

Ms Baines continued: 'She sat down on the sofa in the sitting room and started to cry. Some of Spartan's friends asked her what was wrong.

'Spartan himself then came into the room and asked her what was wrong - knowing what he had done.' 

The woman was taken home and she later confided in a friend what had happened.

The court also heard that Ajeyemi later called the victim on FaceTime and apologised repeatedly, while admitting to what he had done.

He sent follow-up messages repeatedly asking for forgiveness, but was unaware the victim had made records of their conversation - which would prove key evidence at trial.

Detectives from Humberside Police's Protecting Vulnerable People Unit were assigned to investigate the incident, identifying 'Spartan' as Qudus Ajeyemi.

He was arrested on suspicion of attempted rape, which he denied when interviewed, despite the recording of his admission being played back to him.

Detective Sergeant Ethan Anderson, who led the investigation, said: 'I want to start by commending the woman who came forward and reported what had happened to her; reporting this type of crime is never easy and she has displayed nothing but immense bravery and strength throughout the complex and lengthy process; from reporting the incident through to his sentencing.

'Ajeyemi preyed on the woman, taking advantage of her and attempted to rape her in a space she ought to have been safe in, around friends.

'The trauma and emotional damage he caused will undoubtedly stay with her for the rest of her life. 

'The impact of this ordeal was only magnified by Ajeyemi's refusal to admit what he had done, delaying the outcome for the victim and forcing her to endure a gruelling six-day trial.

'We take all reports of rape and sexual offences extremely seriously and continue to work relentlessly to take offenders like Ajeyemi off our streets.

'Specialist trained officers work closely with partner agencies across our force area to support victims and survivors, alongside aiding in preventing further incidents by putting perpetrators before the courts.

'It does not matter if it happened yesterday, a few weeks ago, or even years ago, our advice to any victim of any sexual offence is to speak to us when you are ready.

'Whether you tell a trusted adult or a friend, it is important that you tell someone. We will always do everything we can to hold those accountable for such vile crimes.

'Anyone who suspects crimes of this nature are taking place, please report it to us via our non-emergency number 101. Always call 999 in an emergency.'