Afghan Asylum Seeker Followed a 14-Year-Old Girl During a Family Trip in London What He Did Next Left Everyone Shocked
A 24-year-old Afghan asylum seeker has been fined and placed on the sex offenders’ register after sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl during a family sightseeing trip in central London. Despite admitting the offences in court, he avoided a prison sentence.
Abdul Barkeeh Salihi pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault and one count of criminal damage over incidents that happened on 28 January 2025 in the City of London. At Inner London Crown Court, Judge Ian Darling ordered him to pay a £400 fine, a £160 victim surcharge, and placed him on the sex offenders’ register for five years.
Court records showed that Salihi had no fixed address. He gave an Oxford hotel used to house asylum seekers as his address when the case was heard.
The incidents began in the afternoon at around 3.30pm. Police said Salihi approached a 42-year-old woman as she walked along Lombard Street. The woman noticed him close behind her and asked if he was trying to get past. Instead of walking away, Salihi slapped her on the bottom before leaving the area.
A short time later, he targeted a second victim at the famous Leadenhall Market, one of London’s best-known tourist attractions and a filming location used as Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter movies.
The 14-year-old girl was visiting the market with her family when she suddenly felt someone touch her bottom. She turned around and saw Salihi standing nearby. Police said he was looking at her with what officers described as a strange smirk, leaving the teenager shocked and distressed.
The girl’s family later spotted Salihi entering the nearby Rocca Italian restaurant. Recognising him as the man they believed had assaulted their daughter, they followed him inside and confronted him.
Restaurant staff quickly stepped in and asked Salihi to leave the building. Once outside, he became angry and violent. According to police, he grabbed a metal chair and threw it through one of the restaurant’s windows, smashing the glass. He then tried to throw a second chair, but it bounced back after hitting the window.
Members of the public rushed to stop him and managed to hold him down until police officers arrived at the scene.
When officers arrested Salihi, they discovered he was already being sought over the earlier sexual assault on Lombard Street. He was later charged with two counts of sexual assault and one count of criminal damage.
During the court proceedings, Salihi admitted all three offences. Although he escaped a prison sentence, he was fined, ordered to pay the victim surcharge, and must remain on the sex offenders’ register for the next five years.
Detective Constable Natalie Schofield described the offences as deeply upsetting. She said both victims had simply been going about their normal day when they were targeted in broad daylight. She added that the involvement of a 14-year-old girl made the case even more serious.
The detective also thanked both victims for their courage in supporting the police investigation. She said their willingness to come forward and give evidence ensured Salihi was held accountable for what he had done.
The case came to an end on 13 July when Salihi was sentenced after admitting both sexual assaults and the criminal damage offence. While he avoided jail, he will remain on the sex offenders’ register for five years and must pay the financial penalties ordered by the court.
