Photographer who lured models to his London flat and sexually assaulted them jailed

Osman Saeed offered free photoshoots, before giving women drinks that made them pass out and attacking them

Osman Saeed, 42, was jailed for sexually assaulting women after offering them free photoshoots (Metropolitan Police)

A photographer who lured young women to his home to sexually assault them has been jailed.

Osman Saeed, 42, is known to have committed attacks dating back to at least 2012 targeting models in London.

Victims described being offered free photoshoots where they were given a drink, which made them “black out” before they woke up to find Saeed attacking them.

He has been jailed for seven years after being found guilty of false imprisonment, common assault and sexual assault by touching.

Police admitted he was initially arrested for one of the three attacks in 2014, but claimed there was not enough evidence to prosecute him at the time, so he was freed.

Snaresbrook Crown Court heard how Saeed would lure women to his home for photoshoots, but then ply them with alcohol in order to carry out the attacks.

The first known incident happened in 2012 when a victim replied to an online advert for a photoshoot posted by a profile that Saeed used.

He offered to take portrait shots for free so both parties could use them professionally, and the woman went to his home.

“Saeed had screens, cameras and lighting set up in the living area and he began to take photos,” a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said.

“He told the victim that all the models he shoots drink alcohol during the shoot to relax themselves.

“Saeed spent some time trying to encourage her to drink some alcohol, but she refused.

“Eventually the victim accepted some wine and said she then ‘blacked out.’

“When she awoke she was in her underwear and on a bed, with Saeed taking pictures of her.

“Saeed started to touch her and, as she regained her senses, she got off the bed, put her clothes on and left the flat.”

The next known incident was in 2014, when Saeed offered another victim a free photoshoot and through a website for actors and photographers, claiming it was for a portfolio.

Again, Saeed gave the woman a drink and the victim told police she quickly passed out.

The Metropolitan Police arrested Saeed after an attack in 2014 but he was not prosecuted (AFP/Getty)

“When she awoke she found that Saeed was naked and touching her legs,” police said. “The victim pretended to be drunk and asked for the toilet, but as soon as she got up she ran to the door and fled the scene.”

The woman reported the incident and Saeed was arrested and interviewed, but Scotland Yard said the case did not “meet the evidential criteria for charges to be brought” at the time.

Saeed struck again in February 2018, when police were alerted by neighbours who called them to reports of an argument.

The officers who responded could hear a woman crying and a man saying words to the effect of: “I will let you go now”.

When they entered Saeed’s flat, they found him with a distressed, intoxicated woman.

She was taken to hospital, where she told police she had responded to an offer of a photoshoot before Saeed climbed on top of her and would not allow her to leave.

He pleaded not guilty at trial, forcing his victims to relive the incidents in court.

His LinkedIn profile still describes him as an “independent photography professional”, and a business website claims to offer fashion and portrait photography.

An online portfolio includes numerous images of topless young women.

Saeed, of Woodchuch Road in West Hampstead, was sentenced to seven years imprisonment on Friday.

Detective Constable Scott Sellars said: “Saeed is a danger to young women and I am pleased that he is now off the streets and will be monitored and subject to a court order to prevent him being aim to harm anyone else.

“I want to thank the brave victims in this case each of whom gave evidence during the trial because they wanted to protect other women from the suspect, with one even returning to the UK from her home country purely for the trial.”