An asylum seeker who sexually assaulted a 15-year-old girl in Crewe has been sentenced to 15 weeks in prison after making unwanted advances towards a group of teenage girls.
Taha Derwish, 26, approached the group on Nantwich Road on September 24 last year before directing several unwanted advances at them, Cheshire Police said.
Offender Touched Girl Despite Being Told Her Age
During the encounter, Derwish inappropriately touched one of the girls on the bottom, despite being told that the teenagers were just 15 years old.
Police were alerted to his behaviour and arrested him within 10 minutes of receiving the report.
Derwish had been staying at the Royal Hotel in Crewe while appealing the refusal of his asylum application, according to details previously heard in court.
Police Praise Teenagers for Reporting Incident
Detective Sergeant George Booth commended the girls for reporting the incident, acknowledging that Derwish’s actions had left them shaken and upset.
He said the teenagers recognised that his behaviour was unacceptable, trusted their instincts and contacted the police immediately.
Their prompt response enabled officers to reach the scene and arrest Derwish within minutes of receiving the call, he added.
Police Say Reports of Sexual Misconduct Are Taken Seriously
Booth said he hoped the outcome would reassure the girls that they had acted correctly by coming forward and that reports of this nature would be treated seriously.
He also stressed that women and girls should be able to go about their daily lives without fearing for their safety.
The detective sergeant added that such behaviour had no place in the community and warned that anyone who caused others to fear violence or intimidation could expect a swift and robust response.
