Coventry man jailed after sexually assaulting stranger

Saad Sheikh, 30, pleaded guilty to sexual assault at Warwick Crown Court

Author: Dan DaviesPublished 30th Sep 2021

Following a Warwickshire Police investigation a man has been jailed after he was convicted of two counts of sexual assaulting a stranger in Leamington.

Saad Sheikh, 30, of The Spinney, Coventry pleaded guilty to sexual assault at Warwick Crown Court.

On the evening of the 1 August 2020, the victim – a woman aged in her 40s – was sitting on a bench near Jephson Gardens when Sheikh sat down next to her and sexually assaulted her.

Sheikh was arrested five days later after he was identified on CCTV.

Today he was sentenced to 30 months in prison.

He was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life and given a 10 year sexual harm prevention order preventing him from engaging in any paid or unpaid work with vulnerable people.

The court heard Sheikh inappropriately touched the victim over and under her clothing.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Nic Mort from Leamington CID said: “This was a terrible ordeal for the victim, who is an extremely vulnerable woman. The judge was clear that Sheikh would have been aware of her vulnerabilities and targeted her because of this.

“The ordeal left her distraught and traumatised.

“I would like to recognise the bravery of the victim who has conducted herself with bravery and dignity throughout the investigation.

“As well as receiving a custodial sentence, Sheikh will also have to sign of the sex offender register and be subject to sexual harm prevention order which means he will be closely monitored when he is released from prison.

“Incidents of this nature inevitably have an impact on the local community, so I hope the police response and this outcome will reassure the people of Leamington that we will work tirelessly to bring offenders like Sheikh to justice.”

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