Bike-Riding Hotel Asylum Seeker Sentenced For Sex Assaults

A Syrian asylum-seeker, who groped three local women while riding his bike near his government-funded hotel, has been sentenced.

Qais Al-Aswad, 26, sneaked up on females from behind, slapping and squeezing their backsides and in one case groping between the front of one woman’s legs.

He was housed at the Four Points By Sheraton Hotel, Brighton Road, Horley, Surrey and regularly cycled to the local train station to travel to his illegal car wash job.

Al-Aswad has been locked-up since his arrest approximately four months ago and in his various court appearances has continually whined and complained about his situation.

Yesterday, at Staines Magistrates’ Court District Judge Julie Cooper sentenced him to six months imprisonment, suspended for two years.

He must also complete 200 hours community service; 40 days of a rehabilitation activity requirement and was made subject to an electronically-tagged Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Al-Aswad was also banned from riding a bike or scooter in public places, including parks unless he can be GPS tracked at all times.

He denied the cyclist caught on CCTV was him, but after a short trial was convicted of three counts of sexually assaulting the women in Horley, Surrey on May 23; June 4  and June 12. 

The first charge was at approximately 9.00pm in Consort Way, Horley as the complainant was walking with her mother away from a local pub.

This was on the same route Al-Aswad took from Horley train station to the hotel.

CCTV captured the moment Al-Aswad, wearing a distinctive camouflage jacket, approached the woman from behind and slapped her bottom.

The prosecution proved the bike and clothing, plus the clothing linked to subsequent assaults, belonged to Al-Aswad.

The first victim did not see Al-Aswad approaching and by the time he molested her he was riding away. 

The blonde woman, 32, told the court she had just left the Jack Fairman pub and was walking along the pavement with her mother, with CCTV showing the incident.

“Out of nowhere a guy cycled very close and slapped my bum and said: ‘excuse me.’ I did not see his face. He was wearing a camouflage jacket.

“At the time I was shocked. Nothing like this has ever happened to me before and it made me feel violated. It was from behind and I had no idea he was approaching.”

The second assault on June 4 occurred just after 9.00pm.

The woman was walking along the same route as the first complainant and again Al-Aswad approached from behind and grabbed and squeezed her bottom.

The court heard Al-Aswad was wearing the same trainers and had a distinctive Air Jordan rucksack when hotel CCTV recorded him leaving for the car wash that morning at 5.46am.

The red-haired woman, 58, who had just left Horley station told the court: “I was walking along on the pavement and all of a sudden there was a gentleman to my left on a bike.

“He squeezed my left bum cheek and rode off. It was quite a shock and I shouted a couple of swear words.

“The cyclist turned and looked at me and I stuck my finger up at him and he did the same to me, smiled and rode off.”

The third assault was on June 12 at around 10.45am, when Al-Aswad insists he was at the car wash.

The woman, 26, who has distinctive long blonde hair told the trial she was near Waitrose in Consort Way.

“I had just left a shop to meet my partner and daughter and got my phone out when I became aware of a cyclist on the pavement.

“The cyclist was coming towards me and as the cyclist went past he reached down and touched my vagina.

“I turned around and shouted at him and as I shouted they stopped, looked around and he kissed his hand that he just touched my vagina with.

“I was shook up instantly. It all happened really quickly and I was caught off guard. I got one glance and could not see his face really because of his hand.”

Al-Aswad insisted he did not touch any of the local white women, claiming items of his clothing were worn by an Egyptian man, who often sneaked into his hotel room via the window.

The bike was given to him by a charity and he said others often use it.

Muslim Al-Aswad, wearing HMP Wandsworth-issued grey sweat pants and grey t-shirt, seemed more concerned with whining about his personal circumstances when giving evidence.

“I left my country. I left my wife and kids in the camp and seek safety,” he said via an Arabic interpreter.

“I want to know what you are going to do with me today. I want to know that if I am found guilty, how am I going to see my wife?”

He continued to deny he was the cyclist captured on CCTV, insisting: “I have not assaulted any women. I have not assaulted anyone or kissed any women. I was at work.”

He was identified via his distinctive Adidas trainers, but claimed: “They are my trainers, but all of them borrow my trainers. This is not me.”

Before the trial Al-Aswad was complaining from the dock: “I want to see the people who complained about me. I have not done anything wrong.

“I have a lot of friends that use my clothes and use my bike. I have got a homeless friend from Egypt who climbs in through my window and I give him clothes.”

In his interview with the Probation Service Al-Aswad lied that the charity-donated bike’s brakes were poor and he was only reaching out to move the victims from his path.

“You showed no remorse at the time of these offences, putting your finger up to one woman and blowing a kiss to another,” Judge Cooper told him.

The victim Al-Aswad blew a kiss to attended the hearing and told the court: “What upsets me the most about this whole incident is how an individual, who himself claims to be seeking safety and happiness, feels he has the right to remove those same things from myself and other women.

“Following the incident I was left feeling frustrated at the arrogance of the person who committed the assault as well as upset that they think they’re able to do things like this to people who are just minding their own business.”

She has been unable to return to Horley since Al-Aswad molested her. “I also felt, and still do feel, very disgusted by their actions.”

A second victim told the court: “I was upset and angry that the defendant felt it was okay to do this to me and that he clearly didn’t care about the impact of his actions.

“This was particularly apparent when I swore at him after the assault and he turned around to swear back at me with a smile on his face.”

Judge Cooper told Al-Aswad: “I accept that these ladies have suffered psychological harm. One of them feels she can no longer walk with her headphones on and that deprives her of a relaxing part of her day, a walk home from work.

“These ladies, I am sure will experience a state of heightened awareness for some time to come.” 

City Of London Upskirter Wanted

A female passenger was upskirted by a mystery male while riding the escalator at Moorgate Underground Station.

The incident occurred at approximately 5.49pm on Tuesday, September 9 at the busy tube station, located within the Square Mile.

British Transport Police (BTP) have released this image of their suspect.

They are appealing to members of the public to assist them in identifying him.

Anyone who recognises him is asked to contact BTP by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 693 of 9 September.

Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

British Transport Police Hunting Upskirter Suspect

A female tube train passenger was a victim of upskirting by a mystery man now being hunted by transport cops.

British Transport Police (BTP) are investigating the incident.

Officers have released this image of their suspect and are appealing to members of the public to assist them identify him.

The woman was travelling on a southbound Victoria Line Underground train between Finsbury Park and King's Cross at approximately 10.45pm on Saturday, July 12.

A male passenger recorded her intimately and closely followed her when she departed the train at King's Cross before running off.

Officers believe the man in the image may have information which could assist their investigation.

Anyone with information can contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 881 of 12 July.

Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Teen Train Creep Locked-Up

A “dangerous predator” who molested four women on the London Underground in just three days has been locked-up.

Hadi Al Koumi, 18, routinely approached his unsuspecting victims from behind, sexually assaulted them and fled.

He is now starting a sentence of four years and eight months and must sign the sex offenders' register for the rest of his life.

Al Koumi, of Bideford Avenue, Ealing, pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual assault and was found guilty of a further sexual assault following a trial at Isleworth Crown Court.

He was also made subject to a six-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

On August 6, last year at around 5.15pm, the first victim – a woman in her 30's – was at St John’s Wood Underground Station when her train arrived. 

As she went to board, Al Koumi crouched down behind her and sexually assaulted her, before running away.

Two days later, on August 8, the second victim – a woman in her 30's – was at Green Park Underground Station at around 2.40pm when her train arrived. 

Al Koumi then walked up behind her and sexually assaulted her. As the victim turned to look at him, he walked away, before looking back to her and winking at her.

Less than two hours later at 4.20pm, the third victim - a woman in her 40's - was at East Acton Underground Station and was distracted by her phone.

Again, Al Koumi approached the victim from behind and sexually assaulted her.

Later that day at around 11.15pm, a fourth victim, a woman in her 30's, was on board a train between Greenford and Perivale station when she was approached by Al Koumi, who attempted to engage her in conversation. 

The victim politely asked him to leave her alone, but he persisted. 

After telling him again, he stood up, as did she, and he sexually assaulted her. 

The victim managed to throw a glass at him as the doors opened and she left the train, before calling 999.

Al Koumi was captured on CCTV during all four offences and the incidents were linked together and his images were circulated. 

On August 27 officers from the British Transport Police (BTP) North Tasking Unit (East) were on patrol at Perivale station when Al Koumi was spotted and arrested.

Detective Sergeant Matthew Nolan said: “Al Koumi took deliberate advantage of the rail network in order to assault multiple women for his own sexual gratification.

“He's clearly a dangerous predator who has exhibited a disturbing and abhorrent pattern of offending towards women, so I’m grateful to see the sentencing handed down today, and I hope it can bring some sense of closure and comfort to the women he targeted.”

Council-Provided Emergency Housing Illegally Sublet By Mum-Of-Three

Bromley Magistrates' Court

A mother-of-three, who was awarded free social housing, rented it out privately while claiming benefits at another address, a court heard.

Khrystal Miller-Hazelden, 32, received a smart terraced house in Humber Road, Blackheath, which the London Borough of Bromley rented from the Borough of Lewisham.

This was to provide emergency accommodation.

However, she moved out of the address and rented it to a private tenant for approximately £45,000 before she was exposed.

Meanwhile, Miller-Hazelden moved to an address in Whitehorse Road, Selhurst, where she claimed housing benefit to cover her rent.

Now living in Lloyd Avenue, Coulsdon she pleaded guilty at Bromley Magistrates’ Court to dishonestly sub-letting the Humber Road house between July 18, 2021 and January 24, last year.

The court heard Bromley Council are treating the housing benefit she claimed from them as rent arrears and Miller-Hazelden is repaying the money at a rate of £100 per month.

It will take her around twenty-five years to fully repay the money.

Miller-Hazelden claims she was in an “abusive relationship” at the time of the offence and her bank accounts were controlled by her violent partner - currently serving a seventeen-year prison sentence.

Two over her children are in receipt of Disability Living Allowance, totalling £637 per month and Miller-Hazelden also currently receives £1100 per month in Universal Credit.

She receives £307 per month in Carers’ Allowance; £237 per month in child benefit and works one day a week at a nursery.

Miller-Hazelden claimed the rental income was just used for day-to-day living and she did not control the money coming in, with her bank card in the possession of her ex.

She told the court she has two bank accounts, one with a balance of £116 and the other 0.87p and the car she uses belongs to her sister.

“There has been a profit of forty-five thousand pounds to her bank account, a huge amount of money, plus thirty thousand pounds in Housing Benefit,” said District Judge Sarah Turnock.

“I have been told it has been spent on day-to-day living. That seems very unusual.”

The Housing Benefit paid for the Whitehorse Road property went directly to the landlord.

“Your case is complicated,” announced the judge, who made an Unlawful Profit Order’ for the sum of £13,000, which Miller-Hazelden will have to pay at the rate of £100 per month.

“Given how financially difficult it is for you to pay this back I am not going to order you to pay any costs.

“This will take just under eleven years to pay off and if it is not paid in full by 2037 interest will begin to accrue.

“If I had sentenced you to community service it would have taken away your child care responsibilities and any other work you find.”

Another Driving Ban For "Gin And Tonics" Aston Martin Lady

A tipsy driver told police: “I’ve had a couple of gin and tonics,” when arrested near her Aston Martin for her third drinks-related offence.

Laura Thompson, 64, who Bromley Magistrates’ Court heard was attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, was disqualified from driving for twelve months.

She pleaded guilty to being in charge of her black 4.3 litre Aston Martin in Tranquil Vale, Greenwich on July 4.

Prosecutor Hanna Colette told the court it was 8.30pm when a concerned member of the public called police to the location, just a three minute drive from Thompson’s home in Lee Park, Blackheath.

“She was outside the vehicle and had difficulty speaking to the police and was waving her hands around.”

A member of the public confirmed they stayed with Thompson due to concerns about the state she was in and obvious intention to drive her vehicle.

Her breath reading of 96 micrograms was nearly three times the drinks limit.

Thompson’s lawyer Jonny Pilkington told the court: “She held her hands up to the police at the scene.”

There were also physical and mental health issues she was struggling to cope with, the court heard.

“She turned to alcohol as a way of numbing the pain.

“She has been attending AA meetings and has gone from using alcohol regularly to not at all for a few months and has put her car up for sale.”

When questioned by District Judge Sarah Turnock, Thompson confessed to having a couple of drinks since her arrest.

“This is your third drink drive-related conviction, but there is no evidence you drove the car,” the judge told her. “I have to disqualify you.

“It is an incredibly serious offence to drive while disqualified. You could go to prison.”

Thompson must also complete a twelve-month Community Order, which includes a tagged two-month Alcohol Abstinence Monitoring Requirement.

“That means no alcohol for two months,” added Judge Turnock, ordering Thompson to also pay £85 costs and a £114 victim surcharge.

More Points On Licence For Speeding Earl Of Yarborough

The Eighth Earl of Yarborough, Charles Pelham was fined and received three penalty points yesterday after he was caught on camera speeding in Central London. 

The 61 year-old peer, who was a member of the House of Lords between 1991 and 1999 complained there are so many differing speed limits in the capital it is impossible to not get caught out.

He pleaded guilty to driving his £70,000 2.9 litre grey Porsche Macan in excess of the 20mph limit on the A202 Vauxhall Bridge Road, near the junction with Chapter Street on January 9.

Prosecutor Laura-Ann Harding told Lavender Hill Magistrates’ Court it was 8.54am when the Earl of Yarborough was caught driving at 28mph in a 20mph zone by an automatic speed camera. 

He was approximately four miles from his £10m smart end of terrace house in Lansdowne Walk, Notting Hill on his way to visit a poorly friend in south London.

The court heard he is currently disqualified from driving until March 9, next year for other motoring offences.

The Eton-educated Earl, who held the title Lord Worsley between 1966 and 1991 told the court: “I was going to see a friend in Stockwell who wasn’t very well.

“Apart from that I don’t remember anything.

“I find the speed limits vary so much it is impossible to know what one you are in and it was not too fast.”

The father-of-five was fined £666, with £130 costs and ordered to pay a £266 victim surcharge.

Bench Chairman John Tomkins told him: “Traffic enforcement in London is strict and for some driver’s it is onerous, but it is the law.

“You should drive with vigilance when you get your driving licence back.

“You pleaded guilty to exceeding the twenty miles per hour speed limit and we take into consideration your early guilty plea.

“Although you are disqualified when you receive your licence back it will have three penalty points on it.

“If you are disqualified again for accumulating totting points the disqualification will be for a minimum period of twelve months.”