Failed asylum seeker remanded in custody accused of rape in Bournemouth

The 24-year-old spoke with the assistance of an interpreter to confirm his name and date of birth and had his case sent to Bournemouth Crown Court for a plea and trial preparation hearing on December 18.

Eltbie told the court he was unable to provide his address in Bournemouth because he had recently moved.

Robert Salame, prosecuting, said the defendant had arrived in Britain in 2023 but his application for asylum was refused in January this year.

He said: “The defendant is of uncertain immigration status with the defendant’s asylum application refused in January this year.

"The defendant is an Egyptian national who entered the UK in July 2023."

Selina Goddard, defending, said that Eltbie denied the offence and claimed the sexual encounter was "consensual".

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The court heard that the defendant and the alleged victim did not know each other.

Paul Crompton, chairman of the magistrates’ panel, told the defendant: "This case will be at Bournemouth Crown Court on December 18 at 10am.

"Until that date and time you are remanded in custody, 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."

Detective Inspector Mark Jenkins, of the Dorset Police major crime investigation team, said the force has continued to provide support to the alleged victim.