ASHER PUSEY AND YOUSSEF BENMOUSSA HARROW HORROR: TEENAGER SEXUALLY ASSAULTED WITH SWORD IN HARROW
| Red Rose Database
Harrow Child Sexual Abuser
In a disturbing incident that has shocked the community of Harrow, two young men have been sentenced for their involvement in a violent and sexually abusive attack on a 14-year-old girl. The assault, which took place in December of the previous year, involved a brutal break-in, the use of a samurai sword, and a horrifying sexual assault that has left lasting scars on the victim and her family.
On Thursday at Harrow Crown Court, 19-year-old Asher Pusey, who has no fixed address, was handed a five-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to charges of aggravated burglary and sexual activity with a minor. Pusey’s actions during the incident were described as particularly heinous, involving the wielding of a sword taken from a display downstairs in the victim’s home. His accomplice, 21-year-old Youssef Benmoussa, of Walton Avenue, South Harrow, received a sentence of four and a half years after also admitting guilt. The court heard that the burglary was alcohol-fuelled and occurred just days before Christmas.
The young girl, who cannot be named due to legal restrictions, was at her residence alone at the time of the attack. According to her police statements, she had checked her house was secure before going to bed around midnight on December 23. Her account detailed how she was suddenly awakened by a loud noise, only to find Pusey standing in front of her bed, brandishing a samurai sword he had taken from downstairs. She also saw Benmoussa, known as Blake, in a nearby mirror, which added to her shock and confusion.
Prosecutor Martin Lahiffe described how Pusey demanded money from the girl before beginning to search the house. Initially, the girl thought the intrusion might be a joke, but her fear escalated when Pusey started hitting her with the blunt side of the sword. She told him there was £65 in a purse downstairs, which he went to retrieve. Upon returning, Pusey placed a pillow over her face to prevent her from seeing what was happening, while Benmoussa continued to search for valuables. The court was told that Pusey then assaulted the girl sexually, ignoring her pleas for him to stop. Witnesses testified that Benmoussa observed the assault and laughed, showing a disturbing lack of concern for the victim’s distress.
During mitigation, Pusey’s lawyer Annie Walker described him as someone who struggles with alcohol and expressed that he felt genuine remorse for his actions. Conversely, Benmoussa’s defense lawyer, David Rhodes, characterized the incident as a petty burglary that spiraled out of control due to alcohol consumption and foolishness. He emphasized that the situation took a serious turn for the worse because of the reckless behavior of the two young men.
Judge David Mole delivered a stern verdict, criticizing Benmoussa for his lack of intervention during the assault. He stated, “When you saw Asher Pusey sexually assaulting this little girl, to just walk in and laugh and go out again is something that you ought to be deeply ashamed of.”
As for Pusey, the judge sentenced him to five years in prison for the aggravated burglary, with an additional year to run concurrently for the sexual assault. The judge also issued a warning that Pusey’s sentence is indeterminate, meaning he will be considered by the parole board and will not be released unless they are satisfied he no longer poses a serious risk to the public. Pusey’s criminal record includes previous convictions for burglaries, robbery, and handling stolen goods. Just weeks prior to this incident, Benmoussa was convicted of failing to surrender to custody.
Outside the court, the victim’s mother expressed her devastation, saying, “I have lost everything, my home and my daughter. When I came back from holiday, the house had been trashed and my daughter was in a terrible state. After all this happened, she changed and has now moved away. She told me she feels dirty and doesn’t want to live.” The community and the family continue to grapple with the aftermath of this traumatic event, which has left a lasting impact on all involved.
On Thursday at Harrow Crown Court, 19-year-old Asher Pusey, who has no fixed address, was handed a five-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to charges of aggravated burglary and sexual activity with a minor. Pusey’s actions during the incident were described as particularly heinous, involving the wielding of a sword taken from a display downstairs in the victim’s home. His accomplice, 21-year-old Youssef Benmoussa, of Walton Avenue, South Harrow, received a sentence of four and a half years after also admitting guilt. The court heard that the burglary was alcohol-fuelled and occurred just days before Christmas.
The young girl, who cannot be named due to legal restrictions, was at her residence alone at the time of the attack. According to her police statements, she had checked her house was secure before going to bed around midnight on December 23. Her account detailed how she was suddenly awakened by a loud noise, only to find Pusey standing in front of her bed, brandishing a samurai sword he had taken from downstairs. She also saw Benmoussa, known as Blake, in a nearby mirror, which added to her shock and confusion.
Prosecutor Martin Lahiffe described how Pusey demanded money from the girl before beginning to search the house. Initially, the girl thought the intrusion might be a joke, but her fear escalated when Pusey started hitting her with the blunt side of the sword. She told him there was £65 in a purse downstairs, which he went to retrieve. Upon returning, Pusey placed a pillow over her face to prevent her from seeing what was happening, while Benmoussa continued to search for valuables. The court was told that Pusey then assaulted the girl sexually, ignoring her pleas for him to stop. Witnesses testified that Benmoussa observed the assault and laughed, showing a disturbing lack of concern for the victim’s distress.
During mitigation, Pusey’s lawyer Annie Walker described him as someone who struggles with alcohol and expressed that he felt genuine remorse for his actions. Conversely, Benmoussa’s defense lawyer, David Rhodes, characterized the incident as a petty burglary that spiraled out of control due to alcohol consumption and foolishness. He emphasized that the situation took a serious turn for the worse because of the reckless behavior of the two young men.
Judge David Mole delivered a stern verdict, criticizing Benmoussa for his lack of intervention during the assault. He stated, “When you saw Asher Pusey sexually assaulting this little girl, to just walk in and laugh and go out again is something that you ought to be deeply ashamed of.”
As for Pusey, the judge sentenced him to five years in prison for the aggravated burglary, with an additional year to run concurrently for the sexual assault. The judge also issued a warning that Pusey’s sentence is indeterminate, meaning he will be considered by the parole board and will not be released unless they are satisfied he no longer poses a serious risk to the public. Pusey’s criminal record includes previous convictions for burglaries, robbery, and handling stolen goods. Just weeks prior to this incident, Benmoussa was convicted of failing to surrender to custody.
Outside the court, the victim’s mother expressed her devastation, saying, “I have lost everything, my home and my daughter. When I came back from holiday, the house had been trashed and my daughter was in a terrible state. After all this happened, she changed and has now moved away. She told me she feels dirty and doesn’t want to live.” The community and the family continue to grapple with the aftermath of this traumatic event, which has left a lasting impact on all involved.