IRFAN WILLIAM FROM GLASGOW AND NEWTON MEARNS HARASSES FOUR WOMEN DURING POSTAL ROUNDS

In a disturbing series of incidents spanning several years, Irfan William, a 49-year-old postal worker operating in Glasgow and Newton Mearns, has been accused of subjecting four women to unwanted and increasingly invasive attention during his delivery rounds. Despite multiple reports to the Royal Mail about his behavior, it was only after he forcibly kissed one of his victims that law enforcement authorities became involved.

William's misconduct took place over a period from January 2015 to March 2022, during which he exploited his position as a postman to harass and intimidate women in different parts of Glasgow, including the southside and the suburb of Newton Mearns. His actions ranged from persistent stalking to a sexual assault, culminating in his arrest and subsequent court proceedings.

At Glasgow Sheriff Court, William pleaded guilty to three counts of stalking and one count of sexual assault. The court was informed of the extent of his troubling behavior, which included following women, knocking on their doors to make deliveries in an attempt to attract their attention, and making unwelcome advances. The court heard that William's harassment was particularly targeted after one woman testified in a court case, which seemed to trigger his obsession.

Prosecutor Jeremy O’Neill detailed how William would go to a cafe in Glasgow’s Govanhill, where one victim often spent her time. William would buy coffee, sit at her table, and stare at her, creating a sense of fear that led her to stop visiting the establishment altogether. She described William’s behavior as “predatory,” and stated that her fear was so intense that she decided to move house to escape him.

Another woman recounted an incident at her home in Glasgow’s Battlefield area, where William asked if he could come in for a cigarette. After initially allowing him in, she was subjected to further unwelcome advances. William brought pizza and juice, then questioned her about her personal life, including her marriage. He made inappropriate remarks about her appearance, then physically grabbed her around the stomach and rubbed her arm. The woman described feeling frozen with fear, and although she tried to walk away, William grabbed her shoulders from behind and embraced her with a hug, placing his hand on her face and forcefully kissing her cheek.

The third victim, also from Glasgow, was subjected to similar unsettling behavior. William would insist on knocking on her door, claiming it was difficult to push letters through the mailbox. To avoid further contact, she pretended to have a husband and even enlisted an ex-partner to answer the door on one occasion. Another woman was approached by William while discussing literature, where he made comments about her book purchases and asked about her husband, suggesting he would bring books and coffee to her home for discussions she had explicitly asked him not to pursue.

Following these incidents, two of the women contacted Royal Mail to report William’s behavior. However, it was only after the final incident, when William kissed one of the victims, that police intervened and arrested him. The court imposed a sentence of 180 hours of unpaid work, a three-year supervision order, and a five-month curfew restricting his movements between 7 pm and 7 am. Additionally, a non-harassment order was granted for three years, and William remains on the sex offender register. A sheriff warned him that if he appeared before the court with a conviction, he would likely face imprisonment, emphasizing the seriousness of his actions and the potential consequences.

William’s conduct has caused significant distress among his victims, leading to changes in their daily routines and feelings of fear and vulnerability. The court’s ruling aims to prevent further harassment and protect the women from any future contact, while also holding William accountable for his unacceptable behavior.