Hotel worker with foot fetish jailed for rape

Ahmed Fahmy was sentenced to 10 years in prison

A hotel worker who "exploited" his position "to indulge his foot fetish" has been jailed after being found guilty of rape and sexual assaults.

Ahmed Fahmy, 46, of Barnet, north London, was sentenced to 10 years in prison at Harrow Crown Court following his conviction last July.

The court heard the victims included women who were staying at a hotel he was working in and the offences took place between 2008 and 2024.

Detectives have linked Fahmy to two other non-recent sexual assaults, which largely centred on him touching women's feet, and have launched an appeal for other victims to come forward.

Matthew Dalton, prosecuting, said the "case was that the defendant has exploited his position working at two hotels to indulge his foot fetish" by sexually assaulting victims and later abused his position by raping a hotel guest.

On 19 January 2024 four women had travelled to London and were staying in a hotel in Golders Green, north-west London, where Fahmy worked.

The group were separated on a night out and three of the women made their way back to the hotel in the early hours of the morning but then realised they did not have the room key.

Fahmy claimed he did not have another key for the room and demanded that one of the women withdraw £80 from a nearby cashpoint so she could stay in a different room, the Metropolitan Police said.

Fahmy let her into a separate room. She got into bed but was woken up by Fahmy licking her foot.

Fahmy was arrested at the hotel he worked at

She told him "no" and to go away and he left but the woman was woken a second time by Fahmy doing a similar thing. She kicked him and again said "no", police said.

The fourth member of the group arrived back at the hotel later in the morning. She told Fahmy she had lost her room key while out.

Fahmy manoeuvred her into his bedroom where he raped her, police said. The women moved to a different hotel later in the morning on 20 January.

'Lost trust in men'

His actions were reported to police a day later and Fahmy was arrested on suspicion of rape.

One victim, who was sexually assaulted in January last year, said in a victim impact statement via the prosecution she had "lost trust in men".

She added: "I am angry about what happened. I don't sleep well at night, I also don't see friends as much."

Judge John Lodge concluded the defendant was "someone who is dangerous".

"I come to that finding taking into account the number of offences, their circumstances and the fact that you have been able to manipulate your employment position in order to commit these offences," he said.

"You were in circumstances where you could see vulnerable people, often vulnerable because they had come to London to enjoy themselves, had taken drink, and you took advantage."

'Clear pattern of offending'

Det Con James Gomm, who led the investigation, said: "Fahmy used manipulation to abuse his position as a hotel worker and get close to his victims.

"He demonstrated a clear pattern of offending and abuse."

Det Con Gomm added: "I would also like to commend the victim-survivors who have shared their experience to date for the bravery they have shown throughout the investigation and the court proceedings."

Fahmy, who appeared at court via video link from HMP Wormwood Scrubs, was sentenced to 10 years in prison with an extension period of three years.

An extended sentence consists of a custodial term which reflects the seriousness of the offending followed by an extended licence period, according to the CPS.