What started as a heated disagreement inside a London hotel room escalated into violence involving two asylum seekers staying at government-funded accommodations.
The incident, which played out earlier this year, has now landed one man in court.
A Violent Dispute Behind Closed Doors
Mamadou Alion Diallo, a 27-year-old asylum seeker from Mali, was found guilty of assaulting his girlfriend, Zenabou Quedraogo, also an asylum seeker, during a disturbing altercation at the upscale Heston Hyde Hotel in Hounslow.
The couple had been staying there at public expense when the confrontation took place.
According to what prosecutors shared in court, an argument broke out between the two in Diallo’s room and ended with him punching Quedraogo in the head and leaving her with a large bruise.
The assault wasn’t a one-off — the victim later revealed to police that Diallo had previously strangled her during a separate incident in October 2023.
Witnesses Heard Her Cries for Help
Ravinder Johal, who prosecuted the case, told the court that hotel guests heard the woman screaming before Diallo emerged into the hallway.
Police were quickly called, and the situation was brought under control.
The January 4 attack added to an already troubling pattern of abuse.
A Troubled Past and a Chaotic Present
Diallo, who has traveled through several countries seeking asylum, is now staying at a different government-funded hotel — the Thistle City in Barbican, central London.
That hotel has had its fair share of problems; it has reportedly seen 41 migrants charged with over 90 different crimes in the past year alone.
Despite denying the charges initially, Diallo was found guilty of intentional strangulation and assault by beating.
His legal troubles, however, don’t end there.
Mental Health Concerns Delay Sentencing
Christopher Jenkins, Diallo’s defense lawyer, told the court that his client may need mental health treatment.
The court had previously delayed sentencing to allow time for a mental health assessment, but the report wasn’t ready again on the day of the hearing.
Jenkins emphasized that Diallo might benefit from a treatment plan — but someone needs to take responsibility for making that happen.
The presiding judge, Ms Recorder Annabel Darlow KC, acknowledged that the delay wasn’t Diallo’s fault and agreed it would be inappropriate to proceed without the report.
She emphasized that the court would not make any promises about avoiding a jail sentence and made it clear that a custodial outcome was still on the table.
A Warning from the Judge and a Date for Sentencing
Before releasing Diallo on conditional bail, the judge issued a strong warning: he must return to court for sentencing on August 28.
If he fails to show up, it could lead to another criminal charge, and sentencing could move forward without him.
For now, Diallo remains free — but under strict conditions — as the court waits for the long-overdue mental health evaluation to determine what comes next.