Failed Kurdish asylum seeker jailed after attacking student, 19, in her accommodation

Published: 14:50, 5 August 2026 | Updated: 14:57, 5 August 2026 A failed Kurdish asylum seeker has been jailed after attacking a teenager in her student accommodation. Mohammad Hasani, 29, groped the 19-year-old undergraduate after being invited around by her flatmate. Birmingham Crown Court heard that the young woman repeatedly rejected Hasani's advances but he forced himself onto her in her own bedroom. He was unanimously found guilty of four sexual offences, including assault by penetration, after a four-day trial. Hasani came to the UK in 2022 and claimed asylum, telling officials that his job in Iran as a 'border porter' was considered illegal. His case was in the system when he committed the offences on October 1 2024 but latterly rejected. The court heard that he had appealed this decision but no further progress could be made as he was being held on remand. Sentencing him to a total of four and a half years, Judge Richard Bond told Hasani he wanted a copy of his sentencing remarks to be made available to the Home Office as, 'these offences must be taken into account when the Home Office makes a final decision in your case about your eligibility to remain in the UK'. He went on: 'Look at it from the side of people resident in this country - you came here asking for assistance and you go out and commit serious sexual offences.' Birmingham Crown Court heard Mohammad Hasani sexually assaulted the woman after she showed him around her student flat  The court heard he had visited the home of the two university students in Birmingham, one of whom was dating a family member, by arrangement, bringing food with him. The court was told he started to play loud Kurdish music and the two women danced with him but the atmosphere changed when one of the women left the room and he asked the other for a massage. She refused his request but he began to massage her back and shoulders which, she told the court, made her 'uncomfortable'. The woman then showed Hasani around the flat but when she came to her bedroom, he closed the door. Judge Bond told him: 'I am sure by this time you had decided you wanted sexual contact with her. Those who saw her give evidence understand that she was a young woman who takes time to process information and answer. 'I now know she had a diagnosis of autism. This explains why she did not want to cause discord during the incident.' The victim tried to open her bedroom door but was blocked by Hasani. She then lay on her bed with her phone and he got on top of her and started to kiss and fondle her. Judge Bond told him: 'You knew she was not consenting because she was moving her head to the side and saying, 'No more.' 'You asked her if she loved you and she replied, 'I do not know you'.' The judge went on: 'As she tried to get away you forced her back onto the bed.' Hasani then put his hands down her shorts despite her objections. The prolonged assault included him pinning her hands against the headboard of the bed before they both went back to the living room to rejoin the other student. The victim then rang her boyfriend before taking a shower and brushing her teeth. The court heard that Hasani and the other student joined the victim in her bedroom where he continued to touch her leg and thigh despite her objections. He then got out his phone and showed her videos of cats. Judge Bond said: 'It was a deliberate distraction to allow you to again touch her breasts over her clothing.' Hasani left after his victim called him a taxi. She reported her ordeal to the police in the early hours of the following morning and Hasani was arrested a week later. Judge Bond added: 'This was a traumatic event for your young victim - a prolonged series of sexual assaults. It has affected her day-to-day life. She started to see a psychologist and was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of this incident.' Hasani was supported by several family and friends in the public gallery. He was described as being of previous good character but Judge Bond noted that the pre-sentence report found, 'a complete lack of victim empathy'.