An asylum seeker staying in a Kent hotel who launched a sex attack on a lone woman walking along a nearby seafront has been jailed.
Eritrean national Amer Mohammed was staying in the Glenwood Hotel in Cliftonville when he launched the assault on the stranger along Margate’s promenade.
Eritrean national Amer Mohammed launched a sex attack on the stranger along Margate seafront. Picture: Kent Police
The 24-year-old approached the victim and invited her to a party in the early hours of August last year.
But after walking a short distance together and making it clear she did not want sex, he violently and sexually assaulted her, forcing her to the ground.
She fought him off and managed to escape before flagging down a passing vehicle, driven by an off-duty police officer.
The victim was taken to Margate Police Station and reported the incident.
Mohammed was traced to the Glenwood Hotel through CCTV and he was arrested.
Asylum seeker Amer Mohammed was staying at The Glenwood Hotel in Cliftonville when he launched a sex attack on a lone woman along Margate seafront. Picture: Google
On October 9, a jury at Canterbury Crown Court found him guilty of assault by penetration and assault occasioning actual bodily harm, with intent to commit a sexual offence following a 10-day trial.
Today, he was sentenced to nine years in prison at the same court.
Speaking after the hearing, det consp Chris Harvey said: “This was a traumatic experience for the victim, and we commend the bravery she has shown throughout the trial.
“Thanks to her courage and the swift actions of our officers, we were able to secure a conviction and ensure justice was served for this violent, sexually motivated crime.
“Tackling violence against women and girls is a key priority for Kent Police and we will use all of the powers available to us to prevent harm, support victims, and bring offenders like Amer to justice.”