Oxford – Image released of asylum seeker jailed for sexual assault

Hussein Almiyyahi, who was previously living at the Holiday Inn, in Grenoble Road, was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court on Tuesday, May 5.

The 39-year-old, who appeared in the dock with his arm in a sling, was convicted of four counts of sexual assault after a series of incidents at Plush Nightclub, in Oxford, on Saturday, January 17.

Almiyyahi was convicted after a trial at Milton Keynes Magistrates’ Court earlier this year.

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Hussein Almiyyahi (Image: TVP)

When the offences were put to him, he denied them, stating it wasn’t him.

Tom Blackburn, prosecuting, told the court there were three victims in this case.

The court heard the first victim visited the club with friends at around 12.40am.

She was dancing, when she felt a hand reach between her legs, which made her feel uneasy.

She spoke to bouncers about what happened.

The second victim was a friend of the first victim, and felt him grab her bottom.

The third victim was at the club dancing at around 1.45am when she was sexually assaulted.

Mr Blackburn told the court that Almiyyahi’s hand went between her legs and she turned around and pushed him away. He then assaulted her in the same way a second time.

The court heard she was ‘brought to tears’ and bouncers called the police.

Mr Blackburn read out an impact statement on behalf of the third victim.

It said: “It all happened very quickly. It has affected my revision for my A-levels. I’m struggling to focus.

“I’m meant to be going to university in September, but I have started to think about other options.

“I don’t want to go out anymore. I have distanced myself from male friends. I should be able to go out with my friends and not be assaulted.”

A victim impact statement, provided by the victim’s mother, said: “This has had profound and lasting impacts. I was awoken by a call from her screaming and crying.

“It should have been a safe space.”

Mr Blackburn added: “He attacked three separate women in a short space of time. He continues to deny the offences, despite the women all identifying him.”

Gareth James, mitigating, told the court he came to the UK in April 2024 seeking asylum from Iraq.

He said: “He realises he has let himself down, but says he was wrongly identified.”

Judge Ian Pringle KC said: “Reports were received from Plush Nightclub that a man had been indecently touching women at the club.

“You were the person responsible for the sexual assaults. This is totally unacceptable behaviour and deserves punishment.”

Almiyyahi was jailed for 12 months and ordered to comply with notification requirements of being on the sex offenders’ register for 10 years.