Dundee Woman Uses Karate To Batter Two Would-Be Rapists

A Dundee woman has been praised after using her karate skills to fight off two would-be rapists.

Kelly Soutar was on her way home from a night out in Forfar, Scotland, when she was attacked by Shehab Smekramuddin and Mohammad Islam, who have each been sentenced to three years in prison for their part in the incident.

Kelly realised that she was being followed and attempted to lose the pair, but was attacked outside a park on the edge of the town centre.

As Islam approached her, Smekramuddin leaped over a wall and grabbed her. However, as a brown belt in karate, she used her training to kick, punch and head-butt the men to fight them off.

"She admitted she punched one of the men - 'kicked him in the balls', in her words," said prosecutor Eilidh Robertson during the trial.

Outside the court, Kelly confirmed this, telling media: "The younger one came towards me and I kneed him in the groin.

"When he came towards me again I punched him in the face," she added. "At that point, the guy who was holding me pushed me to the ground so I was flat on my stomach and the other one had come in and was breathing on my head.

"I lifted my head. I don't know which of the two I connected with but I just struggled. We have been taught self-defence stuff in class, especially if you are down on the ground."

She continued: "Muscle memory took over and my body reacted on its own. I managed to dislodge the guy off my back and, as soon as he was off balance, I pushed him away and just ran.

"I was wearing my karate club hoodie at the time - I wouldn't have started on me!"

A member of Dundee's Kanzen Karate club, she will compete in the WUKF World Karate Championships in the city this summer.

"I'm glad it is over with and it's satisfying they got a sentence and didn't get away with it," Kelly added.

"It is a complete relief knowing they won't be able to do this to anyone else in this country. It makes it worth going through the whole thing and hopefully now I can get on with my life.

"A lot of people have got in touch with me to ask about karate groups and going to do self-defence classes and whether it is worth it.

"It has raised awareness, which is the main thing, and I definitely think self-defence classes are worth it. Even just a little bit can give you confidence."

Featured Image Credit: Alan Richardson

Topics: UK News

Mike Wood

Mike Meehall Wood is a freelance journalist and translator. He writes for LADbible, VICE and countless sports publications, focusing on rugby league, football and boxing. He is a graduate of Leeds University and maintains a fizzy pop obsession. Contact Mike at [email protected]