Description
An asylum seeker stalked a young woman home before sexually assaulting her in a chilling attack that left her terrified even in her own "safe place".
Sami Rasouli, 21, faces deportation to Iran after serving half of his two-year sentence for the offences committed last August. Leeds Crown Court heard on Tuesday that he spotted the victim waiting for a bus on Boar Lane, followed her onto the same bus — sitting directly behind her despite other seats being available — and trailed her home after the 45-minute journey.
Prosecutor Paul Canfield told the court Rasouli called her beautiful, asked for her Snapchat, then used Google Translate to ask her to the park and demand a kiss. "The defendant ran towards her and grabbed her and pulled her into him to kiss her, but she swerved, resulting in him kissing her cheek." He then pushed her into a bush and touched her genitalia over her clothing.
A neighbour heard her screaming and rushed out barefoot; she escaped and ran home. Rasouli was arrested the next day. He initially denied the allegations in a prepared statement, claiming "no DNA on the complainant." His DNA was found on the victim, and he admitted two counts of sexual assault on the day of his trial.
In her victim personal statement, she said she could not sleep fearing he was waiting outside. "She felt frightened even when inside her own home because her home was supposed to be her safe place." She remained "very on edge and constantly aware of her surroundings" and unable to use buses or trains.
Rasouli had no previous UK convictions. Mitigating, Eleanor Mitten said he was 20 at the time, had fled danger in Iran seeking asylum with no family here, claimed he was heading to his barber shop job, and expressed remorse.
Jailing him, His Honour Judge Marson KC told Rasouli:
"In my judgement, it is clear you wanted some sexual contact with her, whether she consented or not. It is also clear there was some planning. As one might expect, she has suffered psychological harm which still persists today.
"The courts must protect women from attacks such as these. Women should be allowed to walk freely in public without risk of attack... I hope that you will be deported when this [sentence] has been served. But if you are not, you will be released on licence."