A migrant who broke into a family home in Cardiff and exposed himself to three girls has been jailed for six years. Mohammad Abbas, 29, pleaded guilty to burglary, trespass on a premises with intent to commit a sexual offence, and two counts of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child.
Intrusion in the early hours
Cardiff Crown Court heard how Abbas forced his way into the home on July 30, 2026, before standing naked in the girls' bedroom at around 2am. The court was told the girls noticed Abbas in the "corner of the room" before one began to scream, waking her sisters. The migrant briefly left the room before returning.
Abbas, who says he is Palestinian, arrived in the UK in March after crossing from France on a dinghy. At the time of the attack, he was living in taxpayer-funded accommodation provided by the Home Office.
Judge's remarks
Judge Lucy Crowther said: "When you came back in, you undid your trousers and exposed your penis. You must have realised then that these were all young women. You repeatedly asked the girls whether they wanted to have sex with you, you asked that three times."
The judge added: "Whilst they were screaming, in what must have been obvious fear of you, you masturbated in their bedroom, right in front of them as they lay in their beds. Their screams did not put you off; on the contrary, you moved further into their bedroom."
Impact and sentencing
The court heard how one of the girls repeatedly hit Abbas with a pillow before other family members woke up. They turned on the lights, and Abbas fled the scene. The judge said: "I'm satisfied you intended to rape at least one of these girls."
In a statement read to the court, the girls' mother said the crime had affected her daughters' "emotional wellbeing, their education and the ability to feel safe in their home".
Rebecca Griffiths, prosecuting, confirmed Abbas had one previous conviction for assault of a constable and battery, committed at a hotel in Warwick. David Pinnell, defending, said Abbas was drunk at the time of his offending and has since "accepted full responsibility" for his behaviour.
