An Eritrean asylum seeker has been imprisoned for nine years following a violent sexual assault on a woman walking alone along Margate seafront.
Amer Mohammed, who had been residing at the Glenwood Hotel in Cliftonville, was sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court yesterday for the attack that occurred in the early hours of August 10, 2024.
A jury at the same court had previously convicted the 24-year-old on 9 October of assault by penetration and assault occasioning actual bodily harm with intent to commit a sexual offence, following a trial lasting ten days.
The incident unfolded on the Promenade when Mohammed approached his victim, who was walking by herself, and asked her to accompany him to a party.
After the pair had walked a short distance together, and despite the woman making clear she did not wish to engage in sexual activity, Mohammed launched a violent assault, forcing her to the ground.
The victim managed to fight off her attacker and flee the scene.
She then flagged down a passing car, which happened to be driven by an off-duty Kent Police officer, who took her directly to Margate Police Station where she reported what had happened.
Detectives traced Mohammed to the Glenwood Hotel using CCTV footage, leading to his arrest.
Amer Mohammed was sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court
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KENT POLICE
Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Chris Harvey said: “This was a traumatic experience for the victim, and we commend the bravery she has shown throughout the trial. Thanks to her courage and the swift actions of our officers, we were able to secure a conviction and ensure justice was served for this violent, sexually motivated crime.”
He added: “Tackling violence against women and girls is a key priority for Kent Police and we will use all of the powers available to us to prevent harm, support victims, and bring offenders like Amer to justice.”