FORMER MANAGER OF BOXER AMIR KHAN GUILTY OF SEXUAL ASSAULT
The former manager of boxer Amir Khan has gone on trial accused of sexually assaulting a woman.Asif Vali, who a jury heard used to manage the Bolton-based former champion boxer, denies all the charges he faces.
The jury was told he also sent the woman 'inappropriate' text messages, including one about the size of her knickers, and performed sex acts on himself in front of her.
Opening the case to a jury at Bolton Crown Court, prosecutor Huw Edwards said the case was 'about allegations made by her against Mr Vali of a sexual nature'.
The prosecutor said that in the summer of 2012, Mr Vali began 'showing a sexual interest in her' and started sending her 'inappropriate' text messages.
The jury was told that on one alleged occasion, when Mr Vali was in America, he sent her a text message asking her what size of knickers she would like him to buy and bring back for her.
Mr Edwards said she told him she didn't want any.
The jury was told 'sexual behaviour' on Mr Vali's part towards her continued and 'got worse as time went on'.
Mr Edwards said she told him that he was being 'inappropriate' and the jury was told that she grew to be 'frightened by him'.
Mr Edwards said Mr Vali performed sexual acts on himself in front of her.
The jury was also told of an allegation of assault by penetration in February, 2013, in Bolton.
Mr Edwards said Mr Vali 'said something to her about giving him what he deserved' when she was alone.
He's then alleged to have grabbed her leg and pulled him towards her as she sat on a chair, causing her to fall to the floor.
The court heard that he was on top of her, but she tried to fight him off.
He then pulled down her trousers and underwear.
Mr Edwards said the woman managed to knock over a cup of coffee, which caused him to jump up after it spilled onto them both.
She then left the room.
The woman confided in her GP 11 days later, and told a family member and a counsellor.
She was interviewed by police in December 2019, and in her interview, named Mr Vali as boxer Mr Khan's former manager.
Mr Vali, of Hill Cot Road, Bolton, denied all the allegations made by the woman and said he hadn't had any sexual contact with her.
He denies two counts of exposure, two counts of sexual assault and a count of assault by penetration.
The woman cannot be named for legal reasons.
The trial, before the Recorder of Bolton, Judge Nicholas Clarke KC, continues.
—————————————————————————————————— GUILTY VERDICT —————————————————————————————————— A 56-year-old man has been convicted of multiple sexual offences following a jury trial at Bolton Crown Court.
Asif Vali denied the allegations, which related to incidents said to have taken place in Bolton in 2013.
The trial lasted three days, during which the prosecution urged jurors to consider the credibility of the complainant and the absence of any motive for fabrication.
Prosecutor Huw Edwards told the court that the woman had endured intense questioning and personal attacks while giving evidence, describing the experience as far from easy or desirable.
The court heard that at the time of the alleged offences, Vali was working as the manager of professional boxer and Olympic silver medallist Amir Khan.
Prosecutors said the complainant had kept her experiences private for many years and had struggled to come to terms with what she said had happened.
It was alleged that Vali had bought underwear for the woman and exposed himself to her, carrying out sexual acts in her presence.
He denied all accusations.
In his closing address, defence counsel Bob Elias emphasised the importance of the jury’s role in determining the truth, referencing the long-standing principle of trial by jury as a cornerstone of justice.
He described the case as one person’s account set against another’s and highlighted Vali’s professional standing in the town.
The judge, Honorary Recorder for Bolton Nicholas Clarke KC, made clear in his summing-up that the jury would have to decide which version of events was truthful.
He told the court that only one of the two accounts could be accurate.
Jurors were reminded of the contrasting descriptions of an incident involving a cup of coffee.
The woman said she escaped an assault by throwing the coffee over Vali.
He claimed instead that an argument broke out after she asked for money and that he threw the coffee at a wall.
Evidence was also heard from the investigating officer, DC Kirsty Kaye, including details of Vali’s police interview in which he repeatedly denied the allegations when questioned in 2019.
After deliberation, the jury returned unanimous guilty verdicts on all counts.
Vali, of Hill Cot Road, Astley Bridge, was convicted of two counts of exposure, two counts of sexual assault, and one count of assault by penetration.
He was remanded in custody and is due to be sentenced on Thursday 26 February next year.
