Description
Afghan Asylum Seeker Convicted of Sexually Assaulting 14-Year-Old Girl and Woman in London
Abdul Barkeeh Salihi, a 24-year-old Afghan national and former resident of a now-closed Oxford asylum hotel, has been convicted of two sexual assaults and criminal damage.
Salihi admitted the offences at Inner London Crown Court on Monday, 13 July. He was sentenced to a £400 fine and £160 victim surcharge, and will remain on the sex offenders register for five years.
On 28 January last year, Salihi first followed a 42-year-old woman along Lombard Street in the City of London. After she turned and asked if he needed to pass, he shook his head and then slapped her bottom.
Later the same day, while a 14-year-old girl was sightseeing with her family in Leadenhall Market—the filming location for Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter films—Salihi put his hand on her bottom. She turned to see him wearing a “weird smirk.”
The family confronted him inside the Rocca Italian restaurant. Salihi refused to leave when asked by staff, then threw a chair through a window. He attempted to throw a second chair, which bounced off the glass, before members of the public detained him until police arrived.
Detective Constable Natalie Schofield, of City of London Police, said:
“These were deeply distressing sexual assaults committed in broad daylight against two females who were simply going about their daily lives. One of the victims was just 14-years-old, making this offending particularly concerning.
“I would like to thank both victims for the immense courage they showed in coming forward and supporting our investigation. We know how difficult it can be to report sexual offences, and their bravery has ensured this offender has been held accountable for his actions.”