Asylum seeker who groped teen girl on the Tube faces deportation | UK | News

An asylum seeker who was jailed for reaching out to a young girl on the subway is in danger of being deported to Saudi Arabia. Muslih Alotaibi, 39, attacked the 17-year-old on the Central Line between Oxford Circus and Mile End station on September 2 last year.

The girl, who tried to put her hand under her leg, complained to another passenger and Alotaibi was soon detained by the police. Alotaibi came to the UK in 2023 as an asylum seeker from Saudi Arabia, where his children and ex-wife still live. He appeared at Inner London Crown Court for the sentencing hearing wearing gray prison fatigues and was assisted by an Arabic translator.

Prosecutor Oliver Wellings said: “The crime occurred on the London Underground system. The victim was 17. He boarded the eastbound Central Line in the early evening of September 2, 2024.

“He had sent a message to his mother saying he was coming home.

“She clearly stated that the defendant was wearing what she described as a floral top. Shortly after boarding the train, she sat down. The defendant deliberately sat next to her.

“‘He put his hand on the woman’s thigh and rubbed her thigh repeatedly. The woman explained that he put his hand under her leg and tried to touch her butt.

“He noticed a woman standing nearby and saw what was happening. She believed he was trying to touch her groin area.”

The young man walked away from Alotaibi, sat next to the woman and told her what happened.

Other passengers pressed the emergency button and Alotaibi was detained by police.

Mr Wellings continued: “The complainant said the incident shocked him. He said it frightened him and he did not want to travel on public transport again.”

When interviewed by police, Alotaibi initially denied the crime.

“He claimed that he was playing chess on his mobile phone and the woman was crying for no reason.”

Alotaibi said he wanted to return to Saudi Arabia as soon as possible.

Alotaibi Criminal Judge Benedict Kelleher said: “The victim of the attack was a 17-year-old girl who was going home by metro in the evening.

“She had the absolute right to do her job without being harassed, and young women should be free not to worry about something like this happening to them underground.

“You were obviously attracted to her. You deliberately sat next to her and then started touching her leg. You then tried to put your hand under and near her hip. You tried to hide what you were doing with your jacket.”

“In her statement, she says that when you did this to her, her mind went blank and she did not know what to do, because such a thing can be a very frightening experience for a young woman.

“The author of the pre-sentence report was concerned that you did not fully grasp the seriousness of the incident.”

Alotaibi, of no fixed address, was sentenced to 19 weeks in prison, excluding time spent in custody.

“You may be released within the next few days, if not within a few weeks,” the judge said.

He will also be subject to a five-year sexual harm prevention order and must only use a credit card or oyster card in his name when using public transport.

“This is because if you do it again you can be tracked down,” the judge said.

“I see that you are in the UK illegally. The Home Office must be aware of this conviction and take the necessary steps to remove you.”