Jail for robbery and sex attack on woman with learning difficulties

The woman was targeted by the men as she left a club in the centre of Birmingham.

One of the attackers, Yassmer Mahmood, was caught in the act by the victim's mother who reported what she had seen to police.

Mahmood, aged 23 of Deford Drive, Smethwick, and Abdi Seerar, aged 27 of no fixed address, pleaded guilty at Birmingham Crown Court.

The court heard how the 20-year-old woman had been leaving a club on Hurst Street when she was preyed upon by the pair.

The men sexually assaulted her and ransacked her handbag before finally taking her purse in the crime on January 27 last year.

Mahmood was jailed for two years and three months while Seerar received an eight-month sentence at the crown court.

Both will also be required to sign the sex offenders register for 10 years.

Detectives have described the attack as a 'despicable crime' and said Yasser Mahmood and Abdi Seerar preyed upon their 'vulnerable' victim.

Dc John Marsh, from the Public Protection Unit, said: "The woman who was assaulted has shown great strength throughout the investigation which has ultimately led to the pair being jailed for this despicable crime.

"Mahmood and Seerar preyed upon the vulnerable woman as she left a club after a night out and then carried out the attack and stole her purse leaving her isolated.

"This case is evidence that we will take these kinds of reports seriously and we would encourage anyone who has been in similar circumstances to have confidence in coming forward and reporting it to us."

To contact your local police call 101, or to remain anonymous contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.