DANGEROUS' PREDATOR MOLESTED WOMAN IN PUB TOILET
A man described as a 'dangerous' sexual predator, who assaulted a woman in a female pub restroom while seeking 'intoxicated' victims, has received a nearly six-year prison sentence.Mohammed Mohammed, aged 24, was engaging in inappropriate behaviour towards women at a pub in Darlington before he followed one into a cubicle, pretending to be a bouncer and forcibly groping her, Teesside Crown Court was told.
The victim, who was rescued by a friend, stated that the incident in July 2024 had profoundly affected her, changing her outlook on life.
Residing in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, Mohammed is a refugee from Sudan.
Although he initially pleaded guilty to sexual assault, he later made an application to withdraw this plea.
The court rejected his application, which caused a delay of a year and added emotional distress for the woman.
Prosecutor Paul Newcombe explained that Mohammed intentionally positioned himself near the women's toilets and, over about half an hour, confronted several women.
His actions included blocking one woman's path, attempting to kiss another, touching a third woman’s hair, and trying to engage others—all reactions indicating his behavior was unwanted.
Described as 'predatory and targeting', Mohammed's assaults escalated when the victim entered the toilet.
He seized her arm, asked her to dance, and claimed he liked her, which she declined.
Following her into the cubicle, he knocked on her door, falsely claiming to be a bouncer needing to see her ID.
Upon her opening the door, he pushed her inside, undid his belt, and groped her beneath her dress despite her protests.
Her pleas to stop were ignored until a friend entered and distracted him.
Hearing her screams, door staff called the police, and Mohammed was arrested.
He claimed to officers that he entered to help during the commotion.
The court observed that his conduct was sustained, predatory, and aimed at intoxicated women.
In a statement read aloud, the woman said the assault had a lasting impact, making her fearful of going to the bathroom alone in public, avoiding men, and changing her clothing style.
During mitigation, solicitor Sophie Johnstone noted that Mohammed fled Sudan after his home was attacked, and his mother now lives in a refugee camp.
Judge Jonathan Carroll acknowledged that Mohammed has refugee status but pointed out that his claims about his past were self-reported and already deemed dishonest.
The judge highlighted Mohammed’s relentless pursuit of women and his willingness to use both trickery and force to commit his crimes, calling his actions catastrophic for the victim.
The judge emphasized that Mohammed's behavior was dangerous and that he poses a 'high risk of serious harm' to others.
He also criticized the delay caused by Mohammed's attempt to withdraw his guilty plea, which prolonged the victim’s distress.
Ultimately, Mohammed was sentenced to five years, eleven months, and two weeks in prison, with an additional three-year extended licence to follow his release.
