Afghan National Jailed for Three Years After Sexual Offences Against Women in Southampton

A 30-year-old Afghan national has been jailed for three years after admitting a series of sexual offences against women in Southampton.

Sohail Amiri targeted women walking alone in the early hours of the morning, repeatedly approaching them and asking for “just one kiss,” Southampton Crown Court heard.

One of the incidents took place in the early hours of Tuesday, 25 November last year, when a woman was walking along Upper Shaftesbury Avenue in the Portswood area. Amiri approached the woman, whom he did not know, and began walking beside her, telling her she was beautiful and asking for “just one kiss.”

Despite the woman repeatedly telling him no, Amiri grabbed her wrist and attempted to force himself upon her. During the assault he continued repeating the words “just one kiss” as she struggled to get away. The woman eventually managed to break free and fled to safety.

Following the report, local officers carried out extensive enquiries, including reviewing CCTV footage, tracking Amiri’s movements after the assault, locating him at his address and seizing the clothing he had been wearing at the time.

Their investigation also linked Amiri to another incident reported two months earlier.

The court heard that on 23 September, at around 6.40am, Amiri approached a woman walking along Westwood Road in the Bevois area and asked her for “just one kiss.” She ignored him and continued walking. When she later arrived at work and told a colleague about the encounter, the colleague said the same man had approached her previously using the same phrase and had pushed her.

Police were able to identify Amiri through a combination of evidence, including a DNA match to saliva from the Portswood incident and mobile phone data confirming his location at the time of the offences.

Amiri later pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault, one count of attempted sexual assault, and entering the United Kingdom without leave.

At Southampton Crown Court today, Judge Nicholas Rowland sentenced him to three years in prison. He was also handed a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Speaking after the hearing, Detective Chief Inspector Michael Higgins, who oversaw the investigation, said:
“Sohail Amiri’s behaviour was predatory, and created a great deal of fear and anxiety for all three women, who should be able to feel safe in their own community.

“Their courage and bravery throughout meant we have been able to present a case to the court which Amiri has had no choice but to plead guilty to.

“While nothing can undo what they have been through, I hope today’s sentencing brings a measure of reassurance to them, and to the public, that we take behaviour like this extremely seriously, and will do all we can to bring perpetrators to justice.”

District commander for Southampton, Superintendent Alex Charge, added:
“Following the assault in Portswood, our neighbourhood enforcement team’s dogged and tenacious attitude meant we were swiftly able to track Amiri’s movements, locate him and bring him into custody. Our investigation team then used all the available extensions to keep him there while we pulled together all the evidence required to obtain charges from the CPS.

“Ensuring Southampton’s streets not only are safe, but feel safe for all who live, work in and visit the city is the utmost priority for us, and we will not tolerate anyone who wants to target lone women in our communities.

“We have also been really clear that we police without fear or favour, and regardless of ethnicity or nationality, if you commit a crime then we will use all powers available to us to deal with you.”