KAMAL ALAROUSH FROM EDINBURGH SENTENCED FOR SHOCKING ABUSE IN POLWARTH AREA

An incident of severe abuse involving Kamal Alaroush, a 62-year-old man from Edinburgh, has culminated in his imprisonment following a series of horrifying acts against his partner. The disturbing case unfolded within the confines of his home in the Polwarth district of Edinburgh, where Alaroush subjected his partner to a relentless campaign of physical, emotional, and sexual violence.

According to court reports, Alaroush's violent behavior included pointing an air rifle directly at the woman’s head, a terrifying act that underscored the level of threat he posed. On multiple occasions, he physically assaulted her by kicking her body, further demonstrating his violent tendencies. Throughout these episodes, he maintained a disturbing level of control, constantly monitoring her movements and dictating her daily routines, including what food she was permitted to eat. The victim was subjected to coercion and intimidation, with Alaroush demanding sexual acts from her whenever he chose, regardless of her willingness.

The abuse persisted over an extended period, from April 1, 2019, to August 19, 2020, during which the victim endured relentless torment. The situation reached a critical point in July 2020 when a concerned neighbor, hearing loud shouting and screaming from the flat, contacted the police. The police responded to the distress call and found the woman locked inside the flat, visibly terrified. She was so frightened of her attacker that she reached out through the letterbox and held a police officer’s hand for reassurance.

When police officers arrived at the scene, Alaroush refused to open the door, forcing them to use a battering ram to gain entry into the property. Once inside, officers found the woman in a state of fear and distress. Alaroush, a Libyan national, denied all allegations, claiming that the woman was a heroin addict and that she would invite other drug users into his home against his will. He insisted that his daily routine consisted of shopping, cooking for both of them, and attending his local mosque multiple times each day for prayer.

Despite his claims, the court proceedings revealed a different reality. Over four days of evidence at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, the jury was unconvinced by Alaroush’s explanations and returned guilty verdicts on two counts. He was convicted of engaging in a course of conduct that was abusive towards his partner over the period from April 2019 to August 2020. Additionally, he was found guilty of behaving in a threatening and abusive manner, which included shouting, swearing, and struggling with police officers during the incident at his home on July 29, 2020.

The victim, who provided her testimony via video link, recounted her harrowing experience of being controlled and abused by Alaroush since they met in 2018. She described how he would dictate her movements, insult her with offensive remarks, and physically assault her. One particularly frightening incident involved him pointing an air rifle at her head while he was cleaning the weapon in his kitchen, a moment that left her terrified and traumatized. She also revealed that she was forced to perform sexual acts against her will on numerous occasions, which she described as degrading and made her feel disgusting.

Prosecutor Xander van der Scheer emphasized to the jury that Alaroush exerted “complete and utter control” over the woman’s life, forcing her into acts she did not want to do. The defense’s claims that the victim was a heroin addict and that she invited drug users into the home were dismissed as “preposterous and utterly ridiculous” by the prosecution.

Following the guilty verdicts, Sheriff Julius Komorowski ordered that Alaroush be placed on the sex offenders register on an interim basis. He was also remanded in custody pending further assessments, including a criminal justice social work report and a psychiatric evaluation. The sheriff deferred sentencing until next month to allow for these reports to be prepared, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the case before final sentencing.