The mother of an NHS worker who died after being the victim of a horrific sexual assault while lying unconscious on a park bench has said her family are “celebrating” her attacker’s conviction.
Mohamed Noor Iidow was looking for a defenseless victim on the night of the attack on July 17, 2021, when he discovered Natalie Shotter (37) lying on a bench in Southall Park, west London.
Iidow subjected Mrs. Shotter to a disgusting attack. Footage of the attack shown to the Old Bailey brought tears to the jury’s eyes.
His defense attorney argued that Ms. Shotter may have already been dead by the time his client found her in the dock.
Evidence showed that Iidow overstimulated the nerves in the back of Ms Shotter’s throat, which led to a fatal heart attack.
The 35-year-old killer was convicted of rape and murder at the Old Bailey.
Speaking in court after the sentencing, Ms Shotter’s mother, Dr Cas Shotter Weetman, said: We are happy for her children and that we finally have justice for Nat after three and a half years,” adding that she was a “beautiful soul.”
Dr Weetman added: “We are celebrating, of course we are joyful, absolutely happy with the result, I can’t tell you what it means to us.
“She was a beautiful, beautiful girl, an NHS worker, worked for charities, mother of three, just the most amazing soul (and) kind person. She had so much to offer, so much more to give.
Judges at the Old Bailey wept as they were shown horrific footage of the horrific attack by 35-year-old Mohamed Noor on a widow.
Lidow attacked mother-of-three Natalie Shotter, 37, after she was knocked unconscious during a night out in Southall, west London
The Old Bailey heard Iidow left Ms Shotter, who was just over 5ft tall and weighed 95lb, on the bench. Her body was found by a passerby a few hours later.
Police initially treated Ms. Shotter’s death as unexpected before arresting Lidow on August 4, 2021.
The victim’s mother, cardiologist Dr Cas Shotter Weetman, criticized the Met Police after two officers allegedly told Ms Shotter’s friend there was nothing they could do to help her.
She campaigned for justice for her daughter and believes the culture of misogyny at the Met contributed to her death.
Ms Shotter had been dead for many hours before she was found by a passerby in Southall Park, west London, on July 17, 2021
Lidow was charged with murder and rape on December 21, 2023, and convicted of both charges by a jury of eight men and four women.
The family of the NHS worker wept in the well of the court as Lidow was found guilty in a unanimous verdict.
Lidow silently said a few words to a fan in the public gallery, but otherwise showed no reaction to the verdict.
The court heard whether Lidow had any previous convictions for “online sexual offences”.
The court heard that Ms Shotter (pictured) was very vulnerable on the night of the attack
Mrs Shotter (pictured with her mother) stood just over 5ft 1in and weighed just over six and a half stone (43kg), jurors were told
The Serjeant Ordinary of London, Judge Richard Marks, KC, adjourned execution until December 14.
Judges wept as prosecutor Alison Morgan spoke about the shocking CCTV footage.
The court heard Natalie had been drinking and taking poppers before lying down on the bench.
“At 11:41 p.m. you can see her arm moving, swaying slightly, lying on the bench,” she said.
“Natalie is lying there and there is no indication that she will suddenly fall to the ground dead or that she is having a seizure.
“Consuming alcohol and poppers may have caused her to lie down like that, she must have been drowsy and semi-conscious.
“The prosecutor’s office is of the opinion that even if she had consumed these substances, there was no reason why she would have died earlier.
She might as well have been lying on that bench because of what she had consumed.
“What was the accused doing there? What was he trying to do, walking the paths in the middle of the night?
The prosecutor added that Lidow “was looking for a defenseless woman to rape.”
Ms Shotter was found dead on a bench in Southall Park (pictured) in west London in July 2021.
Lidow’s lawyers, however, argued that he may not have caused the death or that Ms. Shotter was dead before he met her.
KC defense attorney Peter Glenser told jurors: “There is no evidence that Ms. Shotter moved after 11:41 p.m., it cannot be ruled out that she is dead.”
Chief Inspector Wayne Jolley, who led Scotland Yard’s investigation, said: ‘Lidow’s predatory attack on Natalie was disturbing and shocking.
“This man went to the park that night and took advantage of a defenseless woman who should have been safe.
“Even after his arrest, Iidow tried to maintain that his actions were consensual.
“This case has deeply affected those involved due to its rarity and tragic details.
“We had to prove that Natalie’s death was the result of rape, and that required careful work with experts in the field who brought the charges and now convicted Iidow.
“I applaud the strength of Natalie’s friends and family who had to hear these details throughout the process. Iidow now faces a long prison sentence.