Two teenagers from Birmingham have been charged with the robbery and rape of two escorts after forcibly entering a city centre flat armed with zombie knives, a court heard.
Mohammed Iqbal and Zakariya Hussain, both 17 at the time, targeted a male sex worker who presented as female in his business. The defendants allegedly forced him into the shower and recorded humiliating videos before each took turns raping a female sex worker who shared the apartment.
Described as a two-hour ordeal marked by “sexual sadism,” the prosecution detailed the harrowing attack at Birmingham Crown Court.
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Iqbal, now 20, from Acocks Green, and Hussain, now 19, from Yardley, have pleaded guilty to robbery and false imprisonment. However, Iqbal denies two counts of rape, and Hussain denies one count, all relating to the same victim.
The case dates back to March 2024, where the prosecution says the defendants planned to rob the male escort. Hussain contacted the victim posing as a client before arriving at the flat with Iqbal, both armed with zombie knives.
Prosecutor Oliver Wellings described how the defendants forced their way inside, brandishing knives as the male escort fled to a bedroom where the female escort was present. The prosecution argued the attackers’ intentions went well beyond robbery.
Mr. Wellings explained, “The evidence will show a disturbing element of sexual sadism in their treatment of the male escort — a transgender individual — involving sexual violence and humiliation. Their motivations were complex and violent.”
The prosecution further stated that after robbing the male escort, the defendants exploited the female escort’s profession to sexually assault her. While one attacker guarded the male escort in the shower, filming and taunting him via FaceTime, the other assaulted the female victim.
Video evidence includes Iqbal intimidating the male escort with threats and coercing him into degrading acts on camera. He is heard saying, “Show me your face or I’m going to kick the f*** out of you,” and “I’m going to make you straight then I’m leaving.”
The defense is expected to argue that all sexual activity was consensual and took place before robbing the victims.
The trial is ongoing.