ABERDEEN MAN JAILED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT AFTER LURKING OUTSIDE BARS
A man who sexually assaulted a female reveller in an Aberdeen city centre park had “one purpose” that night – to find a vulnerable victim.Zakaria Abdulla, 23, was captured on CCTV lurking outside pubs at closing time as he selected his prospective victim, a court was told today.Abdulla denied the September 19 2022 attack and stood trial at Aberdeen Sheriff Court last year.The jury found him guilty of sexual assault, but deleted a part of the charge which said he had intended to rape the woman.Found guilty by jurorsAbdulla – who was 19 at the time – approached the lone female, seizing her by the hand and leading her first into a car park off Justice Mill Lane.He pinned her against a wall, then led her to an area of parkland at Bon Accord Terrace Gardens, where he repeatedly tried to remove her clothing, kiss her and touch her crotch, all to her injury.The charge states that Abdulla also followed her when she tried to run away and again led her away to a nearby property, all while she was intoxicated and unable to give consent.The sexual assault took place in Bon Accord Terrace Gardens.Speaking on behalf of Abdulla, David Moggach KC explained how he had been born in Sudan, but his family had fled to Libya, where his client travelled from to seek asylum in the UK.Mr Moggach said he was unsure of his client’s asylum status but noted that he had been living in Home Office accommodation in Glasgow most recently.On sentencing Abdulla, Sheriff Ian Wallace said: “You were convicted by a jury of a serious sexual assault on a vulnerable female in Aberdeen city centre.“CCTV showed you leaving your accommodation and waiting outside bars and nightclubs at closing time.“That footage shows your victim waving goodbye to her friends to go home.“Moments later, you are seen walking with your arm around her.Sheriff Wallace said the woman had been intoxicated and displayed difficulty in walking, adding: “She was struggling to keep her head up.“It is clear from the CCTV footage that you had one purpose that night.“Your victim described a sustained sexual assault which you carried out on her.“This included taking her to a secluded park area where you held her on the ground.”Sheriff Wallace went on to say he took notice of Abdulla’s young age, but voiced concern that he continued to deny what took place.He said: “I am satisfied that only a custodial sentence is appropriate.“This offence was planned – you staked out a lone female who had been enjoying herself in the city centre.“You sought her out because she was intoxicated.“The impact on your victim was significant – she can no longer feel safe in public.“Every female has the right to go out in Aberdeen and feel safe.”Abdulla was jailed for 18 months and placed on the sex offenders’ register for 10 years.A non-harassment order was not deemed necessary.
