An asylum seeker who groped a teenage girl on the Tube has been locked up and warned he faces deportation to Saudi Arabia.
Muslih Alotaibi, 39, assaulted the 17-year-old on the Central Line between Oxford Circus and Mile End station on September 2 last year, a court has been told.
When he tried to put his hand under her leg, the girl complained to another passenger and Alotaibi was detained by the police shortly after.
Alotaibi came to the UK in 2023 as an asylum seeker from Saudi Arabia, where his children and ex-wife still live.
He appeared at Inner London Crown Court for his sentencing hearing wearing grey prison clothes and was aided by an Arabic interpreter.
Oliver Wellings, prosecuting, said: ‘The offence occurred on the London Underground system. The victim was 17 years old. She boarded the eastbound Central Line on 2 September 2024 in the early evening.
‘She had texted her mum saying that she was coming home.
‘She described the defendant clearly as wearing what she described as a floral top. Shortly after boarding the train she sat down. The defendant deliberately sat down next to her.
‘He put his hand on her thigh and rubbed the thigh repeatedly. She described him putting his hand under her leg, trying to make contact with her bottom.
‘She noticed a female standing nearby who saw what was taking place. She believed he was trying to touch her crotch area.’
The teenager moved away from Alotaibi and sat next to the woman, and told her what had happened.
Other passengers pushed the emergency button and Alotaibi was detained by police.
Mr Wellings continued: ‘The complainant said that the incident left her shocked. She said that it left her scared and that she doesn’t want to travel again by piublic transport.’
When interviewed by police, Alotaibi initially denied the offence – claiming he was playing chess on his phone and his victim ‘cried for no reason’, the court heard.
Libby Anderson, defending, said: ‘The defendant came to the UK as an asylum seeker in 2023. He is now aged 39 and is divorced. His ex-wife and children still live in Saudi Arabia.
‘At the time of the offence he was of no fixed abode. He was sofa surfing, living with a friend, and not doing very much.
‘The last contact he had with the Home Office was some months ago. At that time he was on immigration bail.
‘The pre-sentence report says that he is an overstayer and is subject to a removal notice.’
Alotaibi has said he wants to return to Saudi Arabia as soon as possible.
Sentencing Alotaibi Judge Benedict Kelleher told him: ‘The victim of the assault was a teenage girl aged 17 who was travelling home in the evening on the Underground.
‘She was perfectly entitled to go about her business without being molested, and young women should feel free not to worry about something like that happening to them on the underground.
‘You were obviously attracted to her You deliberately sat down next to her, and then began to touch her on the leg. You then tried to get your hand underneath and near her bottom. You tried to hide what you were doing with your jacket.
‘She says in her statement that when you did that to her her mind went blank, and she didn’t know what to do. That is because something like this can be a very frightening experience for a young woman.
‘The author of the pre-sentence report was concerned that you didn’t fully appreciate the seriousness of it.’
Alotaibi, of no fixed address, was jailed for 19 weeks, not including the time he has already been in custody.
The judge added: ‘You may be released within the next few days, if not within a few weeks.’
Alotaibi will also be subject to a five-year sexual harm prevention order, and he will be required to only use a credit card or oyster card in his name when using public transport.
‘That is so you can be traced if you do it again’, said the judge.
‘I see that you are illegally in the UK. The Home Office should be aware of this conviction and take steps to carry out their duties to remove you.’
