(Cook County Sheriff’s Office)
A college student named Mohammad Hossain claimed he was inspired by Fifty Shades of Grey when he allegedly sexually assaulted a classmate at the University of Illinois in Chicago on Saturday.
Hossain, 19, reportedly had a prior sexual relationship with the unnamed female, also 19, when he went to her dorm room Saturday evening and told the woman to undress. He then allegedly used a belt to tie her hands above her head to a bed, bound her legs with another belt, stuffed her mouth with a necktie, and covered her eyes with a knit hat. Hossain then allegedly removed the girl’s bra and underwear and began striking her with another belt.
Prosecutors say Hossain kept striking his fellow student, even using his fists, despite her crying that it hurt and begging him to stop. At one point, the teen was able to free her arms, but Hossain allegedly held them behind her back as he then sexually assaulted her as she continued to cry, shake, and plead with him to stop. When the woman’s roommate returned, Hossain allegedly prevented her from entering the room by holding the door shut. The unidentified roommate left and told someone else what was going on, and then the police were called.
Hossain was arrested later that night in a different dorm room, and reportedly admitted to detectives that he bad been “doing something wrong” and assaulted the woman, but said they were reenacting shades from Fifty Shades of Grey. At a court appearance on Monday, Hossain’s public defender touted him as a model student, saying he is on the triathlon team, in leadership programs, and an alumni association ambassador.
When the surprised judge then asked, “How can someone involved in all that let a movie persuade him to do something like this?,” the lawyer replied, “He would say that it was consensual.” Bail was set at $500,000, reportedly shocking Hossain, who was taken away with his mouth agape. He has been charged with aggravated criminal assault. Fifty Shades of Grey has been criticized for seemingly promoting sexual violence. What do you think?
