Rita Odafe
Natalie Shotter, a 37-year-old mother of three, tragically passed away after being assaulted by a stranger while on a night out, a court has been informed.
The incident allegedly involved a man named Mohamed Iidow, 35, who is accused of the attack. Natalie was discovered lifeless in Southall Park, London, hours after the alleged incident on July 17, 2021.
During the proceedings, prosecutor Alison Morgan KC described Natalie as a “vulnerable woman enjoying her night” who was exploited by the defendant.
“At the time of the assault, Natalie did not appear to be conscious, indicating there was no consent involved,” the prosecutor stated.
“The repeated nature of the assault directly contributed to her death.”
Ms. Morgan explained to the jury that understanding the circumstances of Natalie’s death required time to piece together the events of that night.
“She suffered no stab wounds or severe physical injuries, and there were no indications that anyone else was present with her,” she added.
Crucially, a distant CCTV camera nearby captured footage related to the situation, revealing actions of the defendant that night.
Despite the poor quality of the footage, the prosecution claims it shows Iidow engaging in inappropriate acts against Natalie.
Reports indicate that the footage depicted Iidow manipulating the situation to act against her.
Earlier that evening, Natalie was filmed enjoying herself while dancing with others outside a shop.
According to court details, she was slightly more than 5 feet tall and weighed only 43 kg (6 st 11 lb).
Following her passing, Natalie’s mother, Dr. Cas Shotter Weetman, described her daughter as a “wonderful woman with an enormous heart,” who was cherished by everyone who knew her.
“We have lost someone incredibly special, and the grief is immense and overwhelming,”
she stated.
“Thinking about Natalie is a constant presence in my mind. For her children, losing their mother is an unimaginable pain that will last forever.”
Harry, Natalie’s brother, remembered her as “a genuinely lovely person” and remarked, “Her children adored her, making this loss even harder.”
“Our family was very close-knit, always supporting one another. This is an absolute tragedy for us all.”
Iidow has denied the allegations against him, and the trial is set to continue on Friday, October 4.
