Accusations against late owner of Harrods

R

Rose65

Well-known Member
Location
United Kingdom
Rape accusations against the late Mohammed Al Fayed. Various women coming out about their alleged ordeals - decades afterwards. Why on earth didn't they report these alleged crimes at the time?
I must say I get tired of these constant media scenarios. The man is dead, he cannot answer the charges. I can only presume these women have been encouraged by journalists to claim against the estate.
He was always rumoured to be a nasty character but being now dead, it just seems a bit much to rake it all up now.
 
These things are difficult for me to understand too.

It’s a different world today and age helps us to be less concerned or embarrassed about many things that were more difficult to deal with when we were young.

I believe that in some cases it’s a sincere way to deal with unresolved issues and in others it’s an opportunity for some sort of retirement plan or payday.

If it helps shine a light on predatory behavior and gives young people the strength and courage to come forward as these things happen that’s a good thing.
 
No good asking anyone on this forum unless someone has had the same experience.

I do know that my grand daughter was drugged and raped by a couple who pretended to be her friend. She woke up the next morning naked with no memory of what happened.

Her mother took her to the hospital for treatment. They called the police but they advised against pressing charges for insufficient evidence to get a conviction.

Unless I could hear from each of the women accusing Al Fayed, I would be reluctant to write them off as just looking to obtain money. They could be justly seeking compensation. Should rich men just be able to take whatever they want from women. Should the truth always die with them?
 
Reasons People didn't report it

People were subtly or overtly pressured to keep quiet
People were embarrassed and ashamed.
Victim blaming was rife - she was asking for it by wearing x etc
People thought nobody would believe them or take them seriously- they might have been right in that too.
People were scared of the police
People were scared of going to court.
 
I've said before and will again now. Years and decades later, without any evidence/proof IMO there was no assault , no crime.

Come forward immediately and I'll stand shoulder to shoulder with the victim and try to get the creeps winkie cut off. But we as a nation just cannot arrest/prosecute on accusation alone.
 
Warrigal said:
No good asking anyone on this forum unless someone has had the same experience.

I do know that my grand daughter was drugged and raped by a couple who pretended to be her friend. She woke up the next morning naked with no memory of what happened.

Her mother took her to the hospital for treatment. They called the police but they advised against pressing charges for insufficient evidence to get a conviction.

Unless I could hear from each of the women accusing Al Fayed, I would be reluctant to write them off as just looking to obtain money. They could be justly seeking compensation. Should rich men just be able to take whatever they want from women. Should the truth always die with them?
Click to expand...
If your granddaughter was given GHB, (a.k.a date rape drug), and notified the police, it’s surprising that they didn’t take samples of her blood, saliva, hair, pieces of skin or urine. The drug is a very potent sedative that works on desensitizing the nervous system and make people vulnerable to being raped while not being aware of it and not having any knowledge that anything happened later after the drug wore off.

The drug, like arsenic, stays in the hair the longest, so it would depend on how soon after she swallowed the drug she reported it. Once the toxicologist reports that the complainant was given the drug and was willing to testify, a search warrant would have been issued. If any part of the drug is found on the person, in their vehicle or home, it would bolster the evidence to file charges.

With or without finding any GHB, other than on the person, an indictment could and probably would be forthcoming, so long as there would be some form of it still in the complainant’s body. Otherwise, it would be hearsay and hard to prove before a jury. If other women had come forward, that would also aid in the prosecution’s case.
 
Last edited:
Rose65 said:
Rape accusations against the late Mohammed Al Fayed. Various women coming out about their alleged ordeals - decades afterwards. Why on earth didn't they report these alleged crimes at the time?
I must say I get tired of these constant media scenarios. The man is dead, he cannot answer the charges. I can only presume these women have been encouraged by journalists to claim against the estate.
He was always rumoured to be a nasty character but being now dead, it just seems a bit much to rake it all up now.
Click to expand...
There are a number of reasons why women don’t come forward immediately after a rape. Some women are afraid of repercussions, some are ashamed, some are afraid they won’t be believed and some just don’t want to get involved in a case where they believe it will go nowhere because the attacker is so powerful or wealthy, the person would buy his way out.

In a civil case, which is a reach for me because I was seldom involved in civil cases, it’s really up to the jury as to whether they believe the victim’s story. Again, if other women would come forward and state that they were also raped by the suspect, it would help to have a successful outcome. I will admit that my knowledge of civil laws and cases are not as strong as legal cases. I am not an attorney and don’t pretend to be.
 
Rose65 said:
Why on earth didn't they report these alleged crimes at the time?
Click to expand...
There are a number of reasons... @January listed them in this thread. I will not (especially as a woman!) sit here and assume "it's for the money." I'm also not going to say, "Oh, I would have reported right away!" Know why? Because had it been a man as powerful as Mohammed Al Fayed, I would have most likely disappeared into the woodwork knowing very well that I'd not win again someone with so much power. They'd rip me apart to protect him. I'd have a ruined reputation and he'd go on his merry way as always.

It's easy to sit here and list out what a woman "should have done" but that's just not the way it works in real life when someone so powerful is involved.
 
Last edited:
CallMeKate said:
There are a number of reasons... @January listed them in this thread. I will not (especially as a woman!) sit here and assume "it's for the money." I'm also not going to say, "Oh, I would have reported right away!" Know why? Because had it been a man as powerful as Mohammed Al Fayed, I would have most likely disappeared into the woodwork knowing very well that I'd not win again someone with so much power. They'd rip me apart to protect him. I'd have a ruined reputation and he'd go on his merry way as always.

It's easy to sit here all indignant and list out what a woman "should have done" but that's just not the way it works in real life when someone so powerful is involved.
Click to expand...
I understand all of the above but ..... keeping quiet for years/decades questions the credibility of the victim. And is IMO a strong reason so many say she's just looking for a pay-day.

Look at all the women found to be lying after thorough investigation .

And again, arrest & prosecution on just accusation alone ? Would you want the men in your life going through that ? Father, brother, boyfriend, husband, son ?
 
911 said:
If your granddaughter was given GHB, (a.k.a date rape drug), and notified the police, it’s surprising that they didn’t take samples of her blood, saliva, hair, pieces of skin or urine. The drug is a very potent sedative that works on desensitizing the nervous system and make people vulnerable to being raped while not being aware of it and not having any knowledge that anything happened later after the drug wore off.

The drug, like arsenic, stays in the hair the longest, so it would depend on how soon after she swallowed the drug she reported it. Once the toxicologist reports that the complainant was given the drug and was willing to testify, a search warrant would have been issued. If any part of the drug is found on the person, in their vehicle or home, it would bolster the evidence to file charges.

With or without finding any GHB, other than on the person, an indictment could and probably would be forthcoming, so long as there would be some form of it still in the complainant’s body. Otherwise, it would be hearsay and hard to prove before a jury. If other women had come forward, that would also aid in the prosecution’s case.
Click to expand...
The problem was that my GD has an intellectual impediment and would have been torn to shreds if she had to testify in court. The police did go to the house and issue a warning. They also made sure that no photos existed that could be posted on the web. My daughter was more interested in making sure that she had not contracted a disease.
 
As with ANY crime the longer it is to report or accuse the tougher it would be to prosecute. Criminal court has a higher burden of proof. I totally understand the fear and maybe not wanting anyone to know etc.

So wait decades and accuse when a person is dead and gone and can not defend even if he might be a sleaze .....
I also think crimes that old whose only evidence is he said / she said are often a $$ ploy .... if not the victim .... the lawyers who pursue it hoping for a quick settlement to keep things quiet seems like the easiest way for some lawyers to take 50-70 % and bill for more for hours put in.
It is like the victim being Used again this time to enrich a lawyer as a civil suit does not PROVE anything..... just who the jury thought told a better story.
 
Warrigal said:
The problem was that my GD has an intellectual impediment and would have been torn to shreds if she had to testify in court. The police did go to the house and issue a warning. They also made sure that no photos existed that could be posted on the web. My daughter was more interested in making sure that she had not contracted a disease.
Click to expand...
That makes the rape even more vile since I’m sure the couple knew she had an intellectual disability. I really hope terrible things happen to both of them.
 
Rose65 said:
Rape accusations against the late Mohammed Al Fayed. Various women coming out about their alleged ordeals - decades afterwards. Why on earth didn't they report these alleged crimes at the time?
Click to expand...
Some of them did; a file of the case was handed to the Crown Prosecution Service by the police.

Rose65 said:
I must say I get tired of these constant media scenarios. The man is dead, he cannot answer the charges. I can only presume these women have been encouraged by journalists to claim against the estate.
Click to expand...
If evidence is brought forward, then justice should be seen to be done ever after someone has died.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top