Abdul Barkeeh Salihi, 24, has been fined £400 after sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl who was sightseeing Harry Potter filming locations in London with her family. The incident occurred at Leadenhall Market, used as Diagon Alley in the films.
Details of the assaults
Earlier the same day, Salihi slapped the bottom of a 42-year-old woman after following her along Lombard Street. The first assault happened at around 3:30pm on January 28 last year. Salihi emerged at Mansion House and followed the woman until she turned and asked if he needed to pass. He shook his head, then slapped her bottom.
Later, the 14-year-old girl felt a touch on her bottom while sightseeing and turned to see Salihi with a “weird smirk on his face.” Her family confronted him at the Rocca restaurant in Leadenhall Market, where Salihi threw a chair through a window.
Sentence and consequences
Salihi, an Afghan national, gave his address as a hotel in Oxford housing asylum seekers. He admitted two counts of sexual assault and criminal damage. He was sentenced last week to a £400 fine with a £160 victim surcharge and will be on the sex offenders register for five years.
Detective Constable Natalie Schofield of City of London Police said: “These were deeply distressing sexual assaults committed in broad daylight against two females who were simply going about their daily lives. One of the victims was just 14-years-old, making this offending particularly concerning. I would like to thank both victims for the immense courage they showed in coming forward and supporting our investigation. We know how difficult it can be to report sexual offences, and their bravery has ensured this offender has been held accountable for his actions.”
