5 January 2026
An Afghan migrant who sexually assaulted women after entering the UK illegally is facing deportation.
Sohail Amiri, of Highfield Lane, Southampton, was told to expect a lengthy jail term after he admitted attacking two women earlier this year, and attempting to sexually assault a third.
Amiri, who spoke with the assistance of a Pashto translator, also pleaded guilty to entering the United Kingdom without leave on October 23 2023 when he appeared before Southampton Crown Court today.
Judge Nicholas Rowland adjourned the case for sentencing on February 6 and remanded the defendant in custody.
He told Amiri: ‘You will be sentenced on February 6, you will be remanded in custody and you will be brought to court for sentence.
‘You must expect a prison sentence of some length on that occasion.
‘You are remanded in custody.’
A 12-month custodial sentence automatically triggers deportation for non-UK nationals, subject to any appeals.
The incidents happened in the Hampshire city on September 23 and November 25.
A Hampshire Constabulary spokesman said previously that the November 25 incident happened in the early hours in Upper Shaftesbury Avenue, Southampton.
He said: ‘It was reported a woman was walking along the road just after midnight when she was approached by a man she did not know who is alleged to have then tried to kiss her.
‘She was able to force him off and run away.’
The two September 23 incidents both took place in Westwood Road.
Highfield House Hotel in Southampton, which is said to house asylum seekers, has been subject to several anti-immigration protests in recent months.