City of London man jailed for sexual assault after stalking woman

A predator who lay in wait before sexually assaulting a lone woman in the City of London as she made her way home from a night out has been jailed for more than five years. Abdala Aweys, 25, was caught on camera lurking in a doorway, waiting for the woman to pass so he could launch the attack. The woman, who had been on a night out in Shepherd’s Bush, described the 25-minute ordeal as having left her feeling isolated and wary of men. She said, “My life has been completely turned upside down.” Aweys pleaded guilty at Inner London crown court to two counts of sexual assault and one charge of sexual assault by penetration. He was sentenced to five years and four months in prison by Judge Darren Reed, with an additional three years on license after release. Detective Constable Raeven Headlam from City of London Police praised the victim’s bravery for reporting the crime, stating that it had resulted in a dangerous sexual predator being taken off the streets. The victim read her impact statement, explaining how the incident has affected her mental health and social life, saying, “Ever since the incident, my life has been completely turned upside down, stepping outside my door is not the same anymore.” The attack happened around 4 am on July 21, when the woman was traveling home and reached Bank. Aweys approached her while she was confused about her route, suggested she come with him, and followed her, eventually pinning her against a wall and assaulting her sexually. She managed to escape, got on a bus, and was still pursued by Aweys, who was later identified through DNA evidence linked to the attack and his bank card use. He attempted to claim the sexual contact was consensual but changed his pleas to guilty before trial. The victim stated that the incident has caused her to become suspicious and paranoid, avoiding social situations and family gatherings, and feeling a significant change in her outlook on life.