MERON GIRMAY FROM COVENTRY TARGETS YOUNG WOMEN AND GIRLS IN CITY CENTRE, ORDERED TO UNDERGO SEX OFFENDER TREATMENT
In June 2015, a series of disturbing incidents involving Meron Girmay, a man residing in Coventry, came to light, revealing a pattern of inappropriate and predatory behavior directed towards young women and girls in the city centre.Girmay, aged 36, who was living at the Salvation Army hostel in Coventry at the time, was found guilty of multiple charges, including sexual assault, affray, and stalking, following a court hearing at Warwick Crown Court.
During the proceedings, Judge Andrew Lockhart QC sentenced Girmay to a three-year community order, which included three years of supervision.
Additionally, the court mandated that he participate in a three-year sex offender treatment program and live in approved accommodations as directed by the probation service.
The judge emphasized the seriousness of Girmay’s actions and the need for rehabilitation to prevent future offenses.
Prosecutor Simon Worlock provided details of Girmay’s troubling conduct, revealing that he had been causing a nuisance in Coventry city centre for several months.
His behavior involved making inappropriate comments and suggestions towards young women, creating an atmosphere of discomfort and fear among the local community.
One notable incident occurred in July of the previous year, when a 27-year-old woman was on her way to work around 8:30 am.
She stopped at a Coventry Building Society cash machine on High Street and noticed Girmay behind her.
Initially, she did not think much of his presence, but as she continued her journey through Broadgate and into the precinct, she became increasingly alarmed because Girmay was following her very closely.
Seeking safety, she entered the Boots store in Lower Precinct, where Girmay followed her up the escalator to the first floor.
Inside, she spoke with a pharmacist, who mistakenly believed they were together due to their proximity.
When she returned to the ground floor, Girmay was so close that she described his behavior as being “like shopping with a friend,” and she was compelled to tell him to leave her alone, telling him to “**** off” after he persistently told her, “I want you.” Despite her pleas, Girmay continued to follow her outside the store, waiting for her in the precinct.
She then walked along Spon Street to a nearby car park, where she encountered a man she knew.
The distressed woman sought his help, and upon seeing her distress, the man bluntly told Girmay to go away, which prompted Girmay to leave the scene.
In early August, another disturbing incident occurred involving Girmay and a mother and her young daughter.
The woman and her partner were engaged in a conversation with family members on a Sunday afternoon when she suddenly saw Girmay lift her ten-year-old daughter’s dress above her waist from behind.
The mother immediately told Girmay to get off her, but he merely looked at her with a grin and continued to hold the girl’s dress up.
After being told again to stop, Girmay staggered back a few steps but then resumed following the mother as she quickly took her daughter’s hand and moved away from him.
Just a few days later, the same woman was in a McDonald's in Coventry city centre when she saw three 13-year-old girls rushing inside.
One of the girls had been outside checking bus times when Girmay approached her and asked, “Do you want sex.” Fearing an attack, the girl rushed back inside, and her friends followed.
Girmay repeated his inappropriate question to her, causing the girls to run back into the restaurant.
The mother, recognizing Girmay, contacted the police and reported the incident involving her daughter.
Girmay was remanded into custody following his arrest.
During police questioning, he was shown CCTV footage of the first incident and acknowledged that it was indeed him, although he claimed he did not intend to harm the woman.
The court heard that Girmay’s behavior was part of a pattern of troubling conduct, prompting the judge to order him to undergo specialized treatment.
In his defense, Girmay’s barrister, Laura Culley, highlighted the need for him to gain a better understanding of what constitutes acceptable sexual behavior, emphasizing the importance of rehabilitation to address his actions and prevent future offenses.
