Illegal migrant Deliveroo rider raped woman he had dragged off the street ‘like a ragdoll’ – then went to hospital ‘to get to her again’
Salem Rekoub, a 28-year-old man with no legal right to work in the UK, was sentenced to 21 years in prison for the rape and assault of a woman in Chelsea, London in July 2024. The case raises significant questions about verification procedures for gig economy workers, as Rekoub was able to operate as a Deliveroo rider despite his illegal immigration status. The judge described him as a public danger.
Rekoub attacked a woman in her 40s after finding her semi-conscious at a bus stop, dragging her to a secluded location where he assaulted her for 17 minutes, leaving her with 33 bruises. After calling emergency services with false information, he was caught on CCTV following the woman's ambulance to Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and searching through corridors in an attempt to reach her again. The woman has suffered severe psychological trauma, including seizures and suicidal thoughts, and spent time in mental health treatment following the attack.
- Man jailed 21 years for rape of vulnerable woman found at bus stop
- Illegal worker bypassed Deliveroo verification to gain platform access
- Victim suffered 33 bruises; attacker pursued her to hospital afterwards