Chilling CCTV footage has shown a migrant hotel resident prowling the streets of Falkirk before carrying out two sex attacks on lone women.
Jailed for four years
Muhammad Sheikhi, 23, was jailed for four years following a trial at Stirling Sheriff Court on Monday, August 10. The predator was sentenced after carrying out the deliberate attacks on November 30 last year.
The court heard how Sheikhi carried out the depraved assaults close to the Hotel Cladhan where he had been staying. He targeted the first woman at a railway bridge on Kerse Lane, where he hugged her, repeatedly kissed her on the face and mouth, and put his hands under her skirt.
Second attack
He then sexually assaulted a second woman in Kerse Lane and the nearby Bellsmeadow skate park, where he pinned her against a tree before putting his hands under her clothing. Both of his victims were in their early 20s and both had been walking home alone after nights out in the town centre.
Eerie footage of Sheikhi has been released by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) following sentencing. It shows Sheikhi lurking around on the Stirlingshire town's Kerse Lane moments before one of the attacks took place.
In dark clothing, the creep can be seen stopping and standing on the street with a phone in his hand. He then moves towards a set of traffic lights before stopping again.
Trial and conviction
Sheikhi, who came to the UK by boat, had denied the charges and told police he had just been “roaming around” as he did not have anyone to socialise with in his hotel. However, following a four-day trial, a jury found him guilty of both charges after three hours of deliberation.
At the time, prosecutor Jamie Hilland said Sheikhi had acted in a “predatory” manner towards the two women. Sheikhi was also placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely and ordered not to contact or approach the victims for a period of 10 years.
Prosecutor's statement
Procurator Fiscal Helen Nisbet said: “Muhammad Sheikhi targeted two young women who were simply trying to get home safely and subjected them to deeply distressing sexual assaults. These were deliberate acts against two victims who were alone and vulnerable.
“Their courage in coming forward has enabled him to be held accountable for his crimes. While this type of stranger offending is thankfully rare, we recognise the profound impact it has on victims and on communities.
“Scotland’s prosecutors will continue to work closely with police and our partners to ensure that anyone who seeks to harm women and girls is brought to justice.”
