Somalian Asylum Seeker Denies Sexual Assault Allegations in Bournemouth Park Incident
Abdinasir Elmi, a 26-year-old Somalian asylum seeker and long-distance runner, has denied sexually assaulting an 18-year-old girl in a Bournemouth park, telling jurors that she kissed him first. Elmi, who trained with Sir Mo Farah in Somalia, is accused of two counts of sexual assault against the teenager in Bournemouth Gardens on April 22 last year.
Elmi's Account of the Evening
Elmi testified at Winchester Crown Court that he was out walking the night before a big race to relax his muscles when he encountered the alleged victim. He claimed he had no intention of talking to anyone and was merely observing a group that appeared to be in a dispute. According to Elmi, the girl's friend said hello as she left with her mother, and the alleged victim then asked him to wait while she said goodbye.
The pair walked towards a bus stop, with Elmi stating he kept his distance. He said the girl suggested going to Bournemouth Gardens, where they sat on a bench. After she received a phone call from her boyfriend, Elmi alleged she put her arm around his neck and kissed him, prompting him to kiss her back. He admitted to putting his arm around her stomach over her clothes but insisted that was all that occurred before she left to meet her boyfriend.
Prosecution's Allegations
Prosecutors, led by Oliver Hirsch, allege that Elmi targeted the teenager when she was left alone by her friends. The court heard that the girl had been out with her boyfriend and a friend, but plans for a lift home fell through when her friend's mother arrived in a two-seater car. Hirsch claimed Elmi approached her as she was alone, leading her to the bench where he repeatedly touched her without consent.
CCTV footage reportedly showed Elmi walking aimlessly and looking at other groups of young girls before the alleged attack. Hirsch suggested Elmi set out that night to have sex with a young woman, regardless of consent.
Elmi's Background and Asylum Status
Giving evidence with the help of a Somali interpreter, Elmi confirmed he is an asylum seeker from Somalia, having fled due to the civil war that began in 1991. He stated he was placed in the Roundhouse Hotel in Bournemouth by the government and has been training with Bournemouth Athletics Club since October 2024.
Elmi described his ambition to become a great athlete like Mo Farah and win many medals, noting his fastest 5km time is under 15 minutes. His defense lawyer, Tom Wright, called him a "very impressive" runner, and a club report mentioned he trained with top athletes like Mo Farah and Bashir Abdi in Somalia.
Trial Proceedings and Aftermath
The teenager reported the alleged assault around midnight but initially could not identify her attacker. Elmi was arrested in September last year and gave a no-comment interview to police. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges, and the trial continues as jurors weigh the conflicting accounts.
