In Cardiff, a man named Ali Hamad has been convicted of a series of disturbing crimes, including sexual assaults on women. The latest incident involved an attack on two young women walking home together on Cathays Terrace. Hamad sexually assaulted one of the women and physically assaulted the other before being stopped by a passer-by and arrested by the police.
Before this attack, Hamad had already committed three other sexual assaults, as well as other offences such as exposing himself and behaving indecently in public. At his sentencing, it was revealed that he had also been involved in similar crimes in London, where he had been sentenced to 12 weeks in jail but was released shortly after due to time served on remand. He then moved to Cardiff, where he continued his criminal behavior.
During the trial, one of the victims described the fear and intimidation they experienced during the attack. The judge, District Judge Charlotte Murphy, labeled Hamad’s behaviour as predatory and described a pattern of offending against females. CCTV footage and witness testimonies supported the victims’ accounts, leading to Hamad being found guilty of sexual assault and two counts of assault.
In his defense, Hamad claimed that he was the victim of aggression from the women and denied any sexual intent in his actions. However, Judge Williams dismissed his claims, stating that his behavior was clearly driven by sexual gratification. Hamad was sentenced to eight months in prison and ordered to pay compensation to the victims.
The judge also imposed a 10-year sexual harm prevention order on Hamad, restricting his interactions with lone females and requiring them to be informed of his previous convictions for sexual offences. His solicitor argued for a more lenient sentence, citing Hamad’s background as a Sudanese national and his struggles with homelessness and unemployment.
The case has raised concerns about the safety of women in Cardiff and the need for measures to prevent such offenses in the future. The judge’s decision reflects the severity of Hamad’s actions and sends a strong message about the consequences of predatory behavior towards women. This verdict serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting individuals from sexual assault and holding offenders accountable for their crimes.
Overall, the case highlights the importance of addressing and combatting sexual violence in society, ensuring that offenders are appropriately punished, and victims are given justice and support. It also underscores the need for communities to be vigilant and proactive in safeguarding vulnerable individuals from harm.