Sentencing delayed for asylum seeker who sexually assaulted two women

Sentencing of a “predatory” asylum seeker who was convicted of sexually assaulting two women in Falkirk has been delayed.

Muhammad Sheikhi was due to be sentenced on Monday, after being found guilty at a trial in May, but he will now find out his punishment in August.

The 23-year-old carried out both attacks in the early hours of Sunday November 30, close to the Hotel Cladhan where he had been staying.

He targeted the first woman at a railway bridge on Kerse Lane, where he hugged her, repeatedly kissed her on the face and mouth, and put his hands under her skirt.

He then sexually assaulted a second woman in Kerse Lane and the nearby Bellsmeadow skate park, where he pinned her against a tree before putting his hands under her clothing.

Both of his victims were in their early 20s and both had been walking home alone after nights out in the town centre.

Sheikhi, who came to the UK by boat, had denied the charges and told police he had just been “roaming around” as he did not have anyone to socialise with in his hotel.

However, following a four-day trial at Stirling Sheriff Court in May, a jury found the 23-year-old guilty of both charges after three hours of deliberation.

Prosecutor Jamie Hilland said Sheikhi had acted in a “predatory” manner towards the two women.

Sheikhi was due to be sentenced at the same court on Monday, but Sheriff O’Mahony was told that a criminal justice social work report was not available.

Sheikhi’s lawyer Paul Keenan said he had no issue with the matter being deferred for six more weeks.

Sheriff O’Mahony confirmed that the case would be deferred and a new date was set for August 10, with Sheikhi remaining in custody in the meantime.