SALAH ALIZADAH: GATESHEAD SEX OFFENDER AND ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT CAUGHT AFTER BRUTAL ATTACKS
In a disturbing series of events that unfolded in Gateshead, a man living in the UK illegally was finally apprehended after leaving behind crucial evidence during a violent assault on a woman.Salah Alizadah, aged 42, was identified as a serial sex attacker who preyed on vulnerable women over a span of two months, terrorizing the streets of Tyne and Wear with his violent and predatory behavior.
Alizadah's reign of terror began in late December 2017 when he targeted a 16-year-old girl walking home late at night on December 29.
According to reports, he was hiding behind trees along a deserted, poorly lit road, where he called out to the young girl while engaging in a sex act on himself.
The girl, understandably distressed and feeling sick from the ordeal, managed to escape the attacker’s grasp, but the trauma of the incident left a lasting impact on her.
Following this, Alizadah continued his assault spree, striking again on January 7.
This time, he stalked a woman returning from a friend's house during the night.
He initially approached her by pinching her bottom and asking if she wanted a cigarette.
When she refused and attempted to walk away, he followed her, pushed her against a wall, and grabbed at her clothing.
During the struggle, the woman scratched his face in an effort to defend herself.
In response, Alizadah bit her on the face, causing redness and swelling.
The victim later described the attack as profoundly affecting her life, leaving her feeling frightened, anxious, and plagued by nightmares and flashbacks.
She expressed her fear in a victim impact statement, stating, “I am always looking over my shoulder in case someone is following me.” Alizadah’s assault pattern continued on January 25 when he targeted a third woman.
While she was walking home from a shopping trip, he again engaged in inappropriate behavior by squeezing her bottom and grabbing at her clothing as she struggled to escape.
Her screams attracted attention, causing Alizadah to halt his attack.
During the incident, she managed to take a photograph of him as he fled the scene.
The woman reported that the attack left her feeling perpetually unsafe and significantly impacted her sense of security.
Crucially, a security worker who saw the photograph taken by the third victim recognized Alizadah from a police appeal.
During a chance encounter in the street, the security officer identified him based on his distinctive clothing—a blue, black, and white jacket that Alizadah was wearing during each of the attacks.
This recognition led to his swift arrest.
When questioned, Alizadah initially denied involvement, but forensic evidence proved otherwise.
His DNA was recovered from a bite mark on the second victim, directly linking him to that assault.
Alizadah’s criminal activities culminated in his conviction at Newcastle Crown Court.
In December and January, he was sentenced to three years and seven months in prison for the series of attacks committed in Gateshead.
Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for life, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the threat he posed to the community.
Judge Stephen Earl, presiding over the case, expressed his views on the matter, stating, “In a struggle, one woman scratched his face and he responded by biting her on the face.
In some sense, it is fortunate that took place because that bite gave direct evidence of the culpability of this defendant, which fortunately sealed his fate, on the basis of the DNA that was managed to be obtained.
Although, horrific it was at the time.” During the court proceedings, the court also heard that Alizadah, who is from Gateshead, had pleaded guilty to charges of exposure, two counts of sexual assault, and possession of a small amount of cannabis found on him at the time of his arrest.
His defense attorney, Geoff Knowles, described Alizadah as “isolated” and “unhappy” during his time in the UK, noting that he had turned to cannabis as a form of solace.
The court was also informed that Alizadah considers himself a “family man” and is eager to return to his homeland, Iran, after serving his sentence, with deportation likely to follow his release.
Overall, the case highlights the dangers posed by individuals living illegally in the UK and the importance of community vigilance and law enforcement efforts in protecting vulnerable members of society from predatory offenders like Salah Alizadah.
