A late-night sexual predator, who molested a woman lost in the City of London, has been sentenced to five years and four months.
Netherlands passport-holder Abdala Aweys, 25, pretended to assist the lone woman, who had stepped off a nightbus near the Bank of England at 4.00am.
At Inner London Crown Court he pleaded guilty to two counts of sexually assaulting the 36 year-old woman, plus a count of assault by penetration, namely his fingers.
Aweys, of Dante Road, Lambeth struck on on July 21, approaching the slightly confused victim as she travelled home from an evening in Shepherd's Bush.
He ensured he was out of sight of potential witnesses and pushed the victim against a wall, forced his tongue into her mouth and pushed his fingers into her vagina, during a twenty-five minute ordeal.
She managed to board a bus and was followed on by Aweys, but managed to get off without him and record him with her phone before calling police.
Reading out her victim impact statement in the courtroom, she said: “Ever since the incident that occurred on that fateful night, my life has been completely turned upside down.
“Stepping outside my door is not the same anymore, I now find myself being on edge and wary around males, tracking their movements and figuring out ways I can keep myself safe.
“I am no longer the happy go lucky person, I used to be and my view on the world has changed significantly.
“Due to the incident, I have been isolating myself. I am not as present in social situations. I avoid family gatherings, and I will only partake if I have too.
“I won’t participate in anything fun, and I feel I just want to stay at home where I feel safe. As a result of this, it has had a huge impact on my relationships with my family and friends.
“He has also taken away my carefree attitude and the fact that I used to always smile at people and now I find I am so suspicious of everyone I see.
“I view people differently, my outlook has changed, and I feel quite paranoid, on edge and this is not someone who I ever was before.”
Aweys faked assistance and suggested he could assist her.
When a security guard asked her for a light Aweys walked away and hid in the doorway of a building out of sight of the victim.
When the victim was on her own again, Aweys left his hiding place and followed her.
CCTV showed Aweys catching up with the victim and blocking her from passing in King Edward Street, near St. Paul's Cathedral.
He then pinned her against the wall and carried out his sexual assault while preventing her from leaving and despite her protestations.
She departed the bus he followed her onto at Liverpool Street and during her walk home called the police, around thirty minutes after the attack.
Aweys was identified when he used his bank card to tap onto the bus.
He was arrested on August 7 and confirmed during interview that he had seen the victim on the night and claimed that all contact was consensual.
He denied digitally penetrating the victim and at court initially pleaded not guilty.
Forensic work located Aweys’ DNA on items provided by the victim. On November 8, Aweys changed his plea to guilty.
Detective Constable Raeven Headlam, of City of London Police said: “Our thoughts are with the victim and her family.
“This has had an immeasurable impact on the victim’s life and her bravery at reporting this despicable crime has meant that a dangerous sexual predator has been taken off the streets.
“I am in full admiration of her extraordinary courage and assistance throughout the investigation and prosecution.
“Providing samples is invasive and harrowing, but proved vital in proving, without a doubt, what Abdala Aweys did on that night.”
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