Pro Male Belly Dancer Caged For Sex Attacks On Female Students

A professional male belly dancer and whirling dervish, who raped one student and sexually assaulted two others, has been locked-up for thirteen years.

Shafik Abd El Hamed, 30, (pictured) of Warburton Street, Hackney raped the 23 year-old woman during an audition at his home after asking to see how quickly she could undress.

The second woman, aged 33, was subjected to a sex attack during a private lesson and a 31 year-old was molested while the defendant helped her prepare for a show.

Snaresbrook Crown Court heard Abd El Hamed, who ran his own business teaching belly dancing, claim the only sexual activity was with the second woman and it was consensual.

The first victim attended a belly dance audition in May 2007 and was invited by the defendant to visit his studio a second time.

When she arrived she found the venue was actually his home address.

He asked her to undress, saying he needed to check how quickly she could remove her clothes backstage, and then raped her.

The second victim attended Abd El Hamed's address between March and July 2012 for private lessons.

It was during these lessons she alleged she was raped and the defendant was convicted of causing her to engage in sexual activity without consent.

The third victim booked a dance lesson with Abd El Hamed in October 2011 ahead of a show she was taking part in.

He then sexually assaulted her during that lesson.

Detective Constable Jacqueline Burns, the investigating officer from the Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command, said: "Abd El Hamed ran a successful business and was respected in the belly dancing community, both as a performer and teacher.

"He used this to his advantage to rape and sexually assault three different women.

“I praise their courage in coming forward, it has been an incredibly stressful and traumatic time for them, and am pleased that Abd El Hamed has been convicted."

He was also placed on the sex offenders register for life and is subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order with out time limit.