Full Breakdown
Deliveroo Rider Sentenced to 21 Years for Rape After Exploiting Illegal Work Status
By Drooid · · How we work
Crime and Conviction
In July 2024, Salem Rekoub, a 28-year-old Algerian national who was working without permission as a Deliveroo rider, was convicted at Isleworth Crown Court of three counts of rape and two counts of assault by penetration. The offences occurred when Rekoub dragged a woman in her 40s, who had collapsed near a bus stop in Chelsea, into a side street and assaulted her for approximately 17 minutes. CCTV footage showed him wearing turquoise Deliveroo-branded clothing and later following the victim’s ambulance into Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, where he continued to search for her. The judge described Rekoub as a danger to the public and imposed a 21-year prison term.
Background on the Perpetrator and Employment Checks
The court heard that Rekoub entered the United Kingdom in 2023 on a tourist visa after fleeing violence in Algeria. He had previously pursued a football career, narrowly missing selection for the Algerian national team before a knee injury ended his prospects. Prosecutor Patricia May highlighted that “incomplete checks” allowed him to work for Deliveroo despite lacking the right to work, underscoring gaps in the platform’s vetting procedures.
Official Responses
Rekoub’s barrister, Brinder Soora, told the court that his client had arrived in Britain seeking safety and a new relationship, but the defence’s arguments did not mitigate the sentencing.
Impact on the Victim and Public Safety Concerns
The victim, who survived with 33 bruises, has experienced ongoing seizures, mental-health treatment, and suicidal ideation, describing the assault as having “destroyed her life.” The case has raised broader concerns about the exploitation of gig-economy platforms by individuals without legal work status and the potential risks to public safety.
Key Figures & Statistics
- Salem Rekoub – 28, illegal migrant, convicted of five offences.
- Sentencing – 21 years imprisonment.
- Victim injuries – 33 bruises, ongoing seizures, mental-health impacts.
- Prosecutor – Patricia May, highlighting inadequate employment checks.
- Deliveroo – issued a statement on tightened rider verification procedures.