NOTTINGHAM MAN GUILTY OF VICTORIA CENTRE CHRISTMAS DAY ALLEYWAY SEXUAL ASSAULT
A man from Nottingham who "hunted" a stranger after sexually assaulting her in an alleyway near the Victoria Centre has been convicted.After a four-day trial at Nottingham Crown Court, a jury deliberated for over three and a half hours before finding Yibrah Tesfamichael guilty of one count of sexual assault.
The court was informed that the 31-year-old and the woman had only recently met, just minutes before the incident in the early hours of Christmas Day.
Tesfamichael claimed that their encounter was consensual, but after considering all the evidence, the jury believed the woman's account over his, and he was convicted by a majority verdict of 11 to 1.
Sentencing was postponed until September 14, and the defendant was remanded into custody.
Judge Robert Eggbuna stated: “This was a vulnerable victim whom you had only met two minutes before you sexually assaulted her.
“I will need an updated victim impact statement before I pass sentence.” The trial revealed that Tesfamichael, from St Ann’s, assaulted the woman and then followed her through the shopping centre “like she was being hunted in a horror movie.” Prosecutor Luc Chignell, opening the case, explained that the incident occurred over 18 months ago in the city centre.
He described how the woman was walking to catch a taxi when she encountered the defendant opposite The New Forester’s pub.
Mr Chignell stated: “This is a straightforward and serious case of sexual assault, which took place on December 25, 2024, involving this defendant.” He added that the victim had been drinking at a friend’s house and was heading to catch a taxi home just before 5am when she saw Tesfamichael standing on Glasshouse Street.
The prosecutor explained: “She asked him if he had a lighter for a cigarette, and initially he said he did, then he said he didn’t.” He continued: “They talked, and he then guided her along the street.
“She entered an alleyway, he followed her, and despite having met only five minutes earlier, he forcibly touched her sexually within moments.” Mr Chignell noted that as the woman left the scene, she was observed by security guards at the Victoria Centre, who became suspicious of Tesfamichael following her.
He said: “She later described it as ‘like she was being hunted,’ using her own words.
“The defendant was just five seconds behind her and at one point hid behind a pillar, and we believe the security guards effectively saved her.” The prosecutor stated that Tesfamichael, of Rose Close, was arrested at the scene and interviewed, during which he admitted that sexual touching occurred but claimed it was consensual.
Mr Chignell said: “It is accepted that the assault took place, that they were in the alleyway, and that he claimed she wanted it and consented.” During her testimony, the woman described how, after the assault, she walked through the centre and mouthed for help from a security guard.
She said: “It felt like I was being hunted; it was like a horror movie.
There was a sinister atmosphere, and he seemed determined to reach me.”
