Men sexually assaulted and robbed a woman with learning difficulties leaving a Birmingham nightclub

Two men have been jailed for the "despicable crime" of sexually assaulting and robbing a woman with learning difficulties after she left a Birmingham nightclub. Yasser Mahmood, 23, and Abdi Seerar, 27, "preyed upon" the woman, West Midlands Police said.

After leaving the nightclub in January 2015, the 20-year-old was sexually assaulted and the pair "ransacked her handbag, finally taking her purse", police said.

Her "great strength throughout the investigation ultimately led to the pair being jailed for this despicable crime", Detective Constable John Marsh said after the 21 January hearing at Birmingham Crown Court.

He added: "Mahmood and Seerar preyed upon the vulnerable woman as she left a club after a night out and then carried out the attack and stole her purse leaving her isolated."

Mahmood was caught in the act by the girl's mother, who then reported what she had seen to officers, police said.

He was jailed for two years and three months, while Seerar received an eight-month sentence. Both will also be required to sign the sex offender register for 10 years.

"This case is evidence that we will take these kinds of reports seriously and we would encourage anyone who has been in similar circumstances to have confidence in coming forward and reporting it to us," said Detective Constable John Marsh.