A 20-year-old man, Abdolrahman Banafsha, has been sentenced to 27 months in a young offender institution for sexually assaulting a woman in Cheltenham. The offences occurred when Banafsha was 19.
The court heard that on 31 August 2024, Banafsha targeted a particularly vulnerable 18-year-old woman walking home after a night out. CCTV footage showed him following her before grabbing her after she fell over in a side street. He then escorted her to an address where he sexually assaulted her despite her attempts to resist.
Banafsha pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault, which included touching the victim over and under her clothing. The victim’s powerful statement described how the attack had “broken and reshaped” her life, causing her to change her social life and daily habits significantly.
Judge Julian Lambert, sentencing, said the case involved “an utterly terrifying ordeal” and noted Banafsha’s predatory behaviour. He will also be placed on the Sex Offender Register for 10 years and must notify police of his address.
Detective Constable Helen Goode praised the victim’s bravery and encouraged staff in the night-time economy to be vigilant for signs of predatory behaviour.
A Home Office spokesperson confirmed that foreign nationals receiving custodial sentences of 12 months or more are referred for deportation under the UK Borders Act 2007.
