Abdul Barkeeh Salihi, 24, has been fined £400 for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl during a Harry Potter filming location tour in London. The incident occurred in Leadenhall Market, the real-world setting for Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter films.
Details of the assaults
On January 28 last year, Salihi first assaulted a 42-year-old woman on Lombard Street, slapping her bottom after following her in the rain. Later that day, he groped the teenager as she and her family visited Leadenhall Market. The girl turned to find Salihi with a "weird smirk on his face."
Confrontation and arrest
The family confronted Salihi inside the Rocca restaurant at Leadenhall Market. During the altercation, Salihi threw a chair through a window before being detained by members of the public until police arrived.
Sentencing and register
Salihi, an Afghan national living in an Oxford hotel for asylum seekers, pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault and criminal damage. He was sentenced on July 13 by Judge Ian Darling to a £400 fine, a £160 victim surcharge, and placement on the sex offenders register for five years.
Police commendation
Detective Constable Natalie Schofield from City of London Police praised the victims: "These were deeply distressing sexual assaults committed in broad daylight... One of the victims was just 14-years-old, making this offending particularly concerning." She thanked them for their courage in coming forward.
