An asylum seeker who denied attempting to rape a woman in an alleyway because he has a "micropenis" has been sentenced to 11 years in prison. Hossein Mohmoudi, 35, also claimed he could not have carried out the attack because he was obese. He was found guilty of attempted rape at Snaresbrook Crown Court in June.
Attack and Arrest
The court heard Mohmoudi was living in an asylum hostel in London at the time of the 2024 attack. He stalked a woman for an hour after her Christmas party, crossing the road when she did and boarding the same bus. He then attempted to rape her before a passing cyclist intervened and alerted police.
Officers raced to the scene, and the Metropolitan Police launched a major investigation. Detectives spent hours reviewing CCTV footage to identify Mohmoudi, then tracked him down at his home two days later. Officers trawled 30 hours of CCTV, following him from the scene of the attack to his home address, resulting in his swift arrest.
Court Claims and Evidence
The jury was told that several factors, including Mohmoudi's micropenis and low libido, meant he could not have assaulted the woman. It also emerged he had previously been reported to police for stalking a woman while she walked her dog.
Mohmoudi left Iran in 2014 before illegally entering Turkey, Greece, Germany and France before arriving in Britain. During his time in Germany, he was convicted twice for assault and three times for criminal damage. Footage revealed the Iranian stalking his victim for approximately three miles.
Victim's Ordeal and Sentencing
Though obscured from sight by a gate, the woman was heard during the assault crying: "Wait! Wait! Wait! F*** you! Back off! F*** off! F***!" Mohmoudi, speaking via an interpreter, acknowledged browsing a fetish website the day prior to the attack. He claimed it was "helpful for my English language", though prosecutor Christiaan Moll retorted: "There are other ways to improve your English."
Defence barrister David Harounoff argued the assault lasted merely 27 seconds, contending this was insufficient time for any rape attempt given his client's alleged medical conditions. Nevertheless, consultant urologist Dr George Fowlis informed the court that Mohmoudi's penis was "normal".
Detective Inspector Thomas Meaden, who headed the Metropolitan Police investigation, stated: "The victim has shown great strength throughout what has been an extremely hard experience. I hope this outcome provides some measure of justice. Mohmudi is predator who poses danger to any women and girls he may cross. Had he not been interrupted by a brave member of the public, he intended to commit further harm. I would like to thank the person who intervened and supported the victim ahead of officers arriving, and to commend all involved for their diligent work."
