31 Jan 2024
A pervert sexually assaulted a man as he tried to snatch his wallet in Liverpool ONE.
Abdul Subahi preyed upon his victim as he sat alone on a bench in Chavasse Park. He offered to have sex with the stranger for cash before attempting to pick his pockets and groping him.
A trial at Liverpool Crown Court previously heard that the complainant was sitting on a bench in the park, near to the John Lewis store, while waiting for friends to arrive at around 11pm on the Sunday evening in July last year. Olivia Beesley, prosecuting, described how Subahi then approached him and asked “are you wearing makeup?” before questioning him over his sexuality.
The 26-year-old, of no fixed address, then offered to have sex with him for money, but was rebuffed. The two men then got up from the bench, at which point the defendant began grabbing at the pockets where his wallet was being kept while telling him “You have to give me money” as he backed him against a wall.
Subahi, who was said to have been under the influence of alcohol, then squeezed him in the groin area, at which the victim pushed his attacker away and shouted for help. Liverpool ONE security guards then came to his aid and chased the pervert as he ran away from the scene.
In a statement, the victim described how he had been left unable to leave the house since the incident and could not complete tasks as simple as shopping for food. Subahi has no previous convictions.
Callum Ross, defending, told the court today, Tuesday: “Ultimately, the defendant accepts that he will face a sentence of imprisonment today. The question is simply one of length for your honour.
“He has been in the United Kingdom a number of years as an asylum seeker after leaving his home country of Sudan due to civil war. He talks of having struggled to feed himself on a very limited budget.
“It is clear his mental health has suffered as a result of his difficulties. He is aiming to gain some qualifications, intending to boost his prospects on his release.”
Subahi, who was assisted by an interpreter, was convicted of sexual assault and attempted robbery by a jury but cleared of a second count of attempted robbery against a second complainant. Appearing via video link to HMP Liverpool, he was jailed for three years.
Sentencing, Judge Anil Murray said: “I am sure you knew exactly what you were doing and you knew it was wrong. I see that you have had a difficult upbringing in Sudan and that you are finding prison difficult.”
Subahi was also handed a restraining order banning him from contacting his victim for four years. He will be required to sign the sex offenders’ register for seven years.
https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/man-sexually-assaulted-outside-john-28539410
Abdul Subahi was jailed for three years in 2023 for sexually assaulting a man in a park in Liverpool as he tried to steal from him. He offered to have sex with the stranger for cash before attempting to pick his pockets and groping him. Subahi was also handed a restraining order banning him from contacting his victim for four years. He will be required to sign the sex offenders’ register for seven years.