What was meant to be a friendly and welcoming event for asylum seekers inside a Northumberland church turned into a disturbing and frightening experience for one volunteer.
The day, filled with activities for families and children, was disrupted when 28-year-old Ethiopian national, Yousuf Musa, crossed every line of respect and safety.
Inappropriate Advances at a Community Event
The court heard that Musa first met the female volunteer during the function and greeted her with a hug.
But when he attempted to hug her again, she declined.
Later, while she was busy helping children, he approached her once more, asking to speak privately.
As she leaned in to hear him, he took the opportunity to sexually assault her, smiling as though it was a joke.
Prosecutor Jemima Stephenson-Finn told Newcastle Crown Court that Musa forcefully grabbed the woman, pulling her close and pressing his body against her.
She said the victim felt his erect penis against her waist as she repeatedly told him “no” and “get off me.”
Musa eventually let go, only to taunt her by gesturing towards his genitals and asking if she “didn’t want this.”
A Disturbing Lack of Remorse
Even after being confronted by another attendee and removed from the building, Musa continued his inappropriate behaviour.
When police arrived, he shocked everyone further by asking one of the arresting officers for a kiss.
While in the back of the police van, he made lewd comments to a female officer, blowing kisses and suggesting she sit next to him.
Victim Speaks Out About the Emotional Impact
In a statement read to the court, the victim described feeling her peace and safety shattered.
Having met over a thousand people through her volunteer work without ever feeling threatened, she said she had never experienced such fear.
She explained that children at the event were also left upset and worried, and she now feels “locked inside her body with anger” over what happened.
Further Incident After Release
Shockingly, the court learned that Musa was released from custody the very next morning.
While out shopping, he approached a mother and daughter he did not know, repeatedly asking for hugs.
The situation became so uncomfortable that the husband had to physically pull him away.
The family later described the encounter as “terrifying,” leaving them fearful of what he might have done next.
The Court’s Decision
Musa, from Ashington, Northumberland, admitted sexual assault, two counts of assault by beating, and one count of threatening behaviour. Recorder Andrew Haslam KC described him as a “high risk of serious harm to others” and sentenced him to 16 months in prison.
Musa was also given restraining orders to protect the victims and placed on the sex offenders register for ten years.
In sentencing, the judge made his feelings clear: “People like her give up their own time to help you, and you rewarded her hard efforts by sexually assaulting and assaulting her.”
Defence Plea and Unanswered Questions
Musa’s defence lawyer, Tony Cornberg, argued for a non-custodial sentence, saying his client could be rehabilitated in the community and wanted to work for a living.
Details of Musa’s immigration status and whether deportation proceedings will follow were not disclosed in court.
