Latest news with #SadeqNikzad
Telegraph
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Police plead with asylum seekers not to ‘harass or abuse' women
Asylum seekers have been told by police to treat women with respect and not harass them or risk being arrested. Officers have drawn up a PowerPoint presentation for asylum seekers in hotels on the key points of 'UK culture' which they are told they should respect. It includes recognising that women 'have the same rights as men', so 'must be treated with respect and courtesy'. 'If you harass or abuse any female, you can be arrested,' it states. The asylum seekers are warned that certain swear words can cause 'great insult', which could be considered a crime if used in public. They are also told that violence of any kind is 'not acceptable', which is emphasised by being capitalised in the presentation. If arrested, they are warned that this could damage their asylum claim. The initiative by Northamptonshire Police followed community and parental complaints over young male asylum seekers loitering near a primary school in the county, including claims of filming. The police presentation, obtained under freedom of information laws, warns migrants against taking photos and videos. Its disclosure comes just days after a 29-year-old Afghan asylum seeker tried to defend his rape of a 15-year-old Scottish schoolgirl by citing cultural differences and a language barrier. Lawyers for Sadeq Nikzad, who entered the UK illegally on a small boat in 2023, told the court that he had not been educated about the significant cultural differences between the UK and Afghanistan. He was jailed for nine years for the sex attack, in Falkirk town centre. Last week The Telegraph revealed that foreign nationals are responsible for more than a quarter of convictions for sex assaults on women. Both Labour and Tory Governments have faced a backlash over town centre hotels being used for asylum seekers and placing a strain on community relations. At the end of March 2025, there were more than 32,000 asylum seekers in hotels although Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, has pledged to axe their use by the end of the Parliament in 2029. A record 17,278 migrants – about three quarters of whom are adult men – have crossed the Channel so far this year to claim asylum in the UK. That is up 40 per cent on last year and the highest number at this point in the year since the first arrivals in 2018. The Northamptonshire Police presentation, titled Safety Advice and Local Information, has been delivered to asylum seekers in two hotels in the area. It opens with short statements about the police. It advises them to walk on footpaths, not on roads, followed by guidance on how to cross the road safely by looking both ways. It says cars can travel at up to 70mph on main roads and 30mph in villages. Under the heading 'UK Culture', it says: 'Respect other people's rights and freedoms – human rights. Females have the same rights as men, they must be treated with respect and courtesy. If you harass or abuse any female you can be arrested. 'Violence of any kind is not acceptable,' it adds. A Northamptonshire Police spokesman said: 'Northamptonshire Police is dedicated to protecting people and preventing and detecting crime. 'As part of this, we carry out a wide range of work to support our communities. This includes visits to provide safety advice and other information to those seeking asylum, in order to foster a good understanding of how policing in the UK works.' 'Despicable crimes A Home Office spokesman said: 'Harassment and sexual violence of all types are despicable crimes, causing unimaginable harm to victims and survivors. 'We recognise the immense bravery shown by victims throughout their pursuit of justice, and protecting them remains central to our mission to halve violence against women and girls in a decade. 'We have already taken action to ban foreign nationals who commit sexual offences from being granted asylum, and will do everything in our power to pursue deportation from the UK.' Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, said: 'Even the police are now acknowledging that illegal immigrants who come here and claim asylum pose a high risk to women and girls. 'We know that Afghan men are 22 times more likely to commit sex offences and the Casey Report said asylum seekers were disproportionately likely to be part of the rape gangs. 'This shows Labour's loss of border control is now endangering British women and – with more illegal immigrants arriving on small boats so far this year than any year in history. 'There is a simple solution – every single illegal immigrant who arrives here should be immediately removed to a location outside Europe.'
Telegraph
19-06-2025
- Telegraph
Asylum seeker blames rape of teenage girl on ‘cultural differences'
An Afghani asylum seeker tried to defend his rape of a 15-year-old Scottish schoolgirl by citing cultural differences and a language barrier. Sadeq Nikzad, 29, entered the UK illegally on a small boat in 2023, and later that year subjected the teenager to a terrifying sex attack in broad daylight in Falkirk town centre. Nikzad will serve nine years in custody followed by three years on licence, go on the sex offenders register and be deported at the end of his sentence. As the sentence was passed at Livingston High Court, Nikzad repeatedly shouted 'liar' at Mr Justice Morris. He was convicted of rape at the High Court in Edinburgh earlier this year after a jury heard how he approached the girl and asked for her phone number and if she had a boyfriend. He then made sexual remarks towards the underage girl, before leading her to the rear of The Courtyard pub where he attacked and raped her. 'She was only 15' The girl said that she froze during the assault, while a woman who came across the victim shortly after said she had been 'in a daze'. The witness said: 'She looked stunned. I knew something had gone wrong. She came to me for comfort. She said she kept telling the guy she was only 15.' Janice Green, Nikzad's defence counsel, told an earlier hearing that her client had not been educated about the significant cultural differences between the UK and Afghanistan. Ms Green also said that the schoolgirl's evidence about language difficulties between them and the fact she had not told the accused 'No' meant the offence was 'not a typical stranger rape'. She added: 'There are no issues raised by him in relation to fear of persecution and the ultimate result is that he'll be deported at the conclusion of his sentence.' During sentencing, Mr Justice Morris told the accused through an interpreter: 'You've been convicted of an extremely serious sexual offence against a child, and I know your counsel has now explained to you that in those circumstances only a substantial custodial sentence is appropriate.' 'Appalling, opportunistic attack' After sentencing, Katrina Parkes, procurator fiscal for High Court Sexual Offences, said: 'This was an appalling, opportunistic attack on a young girl who should have been safe going about her daily business.' She added: 'I hope this prosecution sends a clear message to men who commit serious acts of sexual violence against women and children.' Det Insp Forbes Wilson, from the Forth Valley public protection unit, said: 'Nikzad's heinous actions had a profound effect on his young victim and I would like to commend her strength throughout this ordeal.'
The Sun
19-06-2025
- The Sun
Migrant who raped girl, 15, after arriving in UK on small boat claims he was not aware of ‘cultural' differences
A MIGRANT who raped a 15-year-old girl after arriving in the UK on a small boat claimed he was not aware of the "cultural" differences. Sadeq Nikzad, 29, pounced on the teen in the street after luring her to the back of a pub. 2 She was found "dazed" by a passer-by following the horror in October 2023 - two years after Nikzad arrived in Britain as an illegal immigrant from Afghanistan. His defence lawyer Janice Green claimed the fiend has not been educated about the significant cultural differences between the UK and his home country where child marriage is common. She also tried to argue the language gap between him and the victim and the fact she did not say "no" meant it was "not a typical stranger rape". The lawyer said: "I'm not suggesting that means that he reasonably believed (the victim) was consenting, but that there's a reason why he could have misunderstood." Nikzad kicked off in court and branded the judge a "liar" after he was jailed for 12 years. He had to be handcuffed by security after he began screaming and gesticulating wildly in the dock. Nikzad will serve nine years in prison followed by three years on licence where he will placed on the sex offenders register. The predator will be deported at the end of his sentence, Livingston High Court heard. Passing sentence, Judge Morris told Nikzad through an interpreter: "I appreciate that you don't accept that you've done anything wrong, but the fact remains that you've been convicted of an extremely serious sexual offence against a child. "I know your counsel has now explained to you that in those circumstances only a substantial custodial sentence is appropriate." The court was told Nikzad entered the UK illegally two years before the attack. On October 16, 2023, the girl was walking through Falkirk town centre when she was approached by the fiend. Nikzad repeatedly requested her telephone number, uttered sexual remarks then led her into a courtyard where he raped her. The girl later said that she froze during the attack and was "quite shocked". A passer-by who found the teen said: "She looked stunned. I knew something had gone wrong. 'She came to me for comfort. She said she kept telling the guy she was only 15." Katrina Parkes, Procurator Fiscal for High Court Sexual Offences, said: 'This was an appalling, opportunistic attack on a young girl who should have been safe going about her daily business. 'The victim should be commended for reporting Sadeq Nikzad to the police, ensuring that he has now been held accountable while also protecting others from harm. 'This type of offending will not be tolerated, and I hope this prosecution sends a clear message to men who commit serious acts of sexual violence against women and children. 'I would urge anyone who has experienced similar crime to report it. You will be listened to and supported as we use every tool available in seeking justice.' 2
Daily Mail
18-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Asylum seeker who raped girl, 15, was not aware of 'cultural' differences, claims his lawyer
An Afghani asylum seeker who entered the UK illegally on a small boat kicked off in court after he was caged for raping a 15-year-old schoolgirl. Sadeq Nikzad, 29, who claimed he'd not been educated on 'cultural differences' repeatedly shouted 'liar' at judge John Morris, KC, after he was handed a 12-year extended sentence at Livingston High Court. The judge hurriedly left the bench as the accused, screaming and gesticulating wildly, was handcuffed by security guards before being led to the cells. Nikzad will serve nine years in custody followed by three years on licence, go on the sex offenders register and at the end of his sentence, be deported. The court heard that Nikzad entered the UK illegally two years ago, before subjecting the vunerable teenager to the terrifying oportunistic sex attack in Falkirk town centre in October 2023. He was convicted of rape at the High Court in Edinburgh earlier this year after a jury heard how he approached the girl and asked for her phone number and if she had a boyfriend. He then made sexual remarks towards the underage youngster before leading her to the rear of The Courtyard pub where he attacked and raped her. The girl said that she froze during the assault while a woman who came across the victim shortly after said she had been 'in a daze'. The witness said: 'She looked stunned. I knew something had gone wrong. She came to me for comfort. She said she kept telling the guy she was only 15.' Nikzad's defence counsel Janice Green told an earlier hearing that her client had not been educated about the significant cultural differences between the UK and Afghanistan. Ms Green also said that the schoolgirl's evidence about language difficulties between them and the fact she had not told the accused 'No' meant the offence was 'not a typical stranger rape'. She added: 'There are no issues raised by him in relation to fear of persecution and the ultimate result is that he'll be deported at the conclusion of his sentence.' Passing sentence, judge Morris told the accused through an interpreter: 'You've been convicted of an extremely serious sexual offence against a child, and I know your counsel has now explained to you that in those circumstances only a substantial custodial sentence is appropriate.' As he informed Nikzad that his name would also be placed on the sex offenders register, he lost his temper and started waving his arms in the air and shouting at his interpreter and the judge. After sentencing, Katrina Parkes, Procurator Fiscal for High Court Sexual Offences, said: 'This was an appalling, opportunistic attack on a young girl who should have been safe going about her daily business.' She added: 'I hope this prosecution sends a clear message to men who commit serious acts of sexual violence against women and children.' Detective Inspector Forbes Wilson, from the Forth Valley Public Protection Unit, said: 'Nikzad's heinous actions had a profound effect on his young victim and I would like to commend her strength throughout this ordeal.'
Daily Mail
18-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Afghan asylum seeker, 29, who raped 15-year-old schoolgirl in town centre is jailed for nine years
An Afghan asylum seeker who raped a 15-year-old schoolgirl after following her in a town centre has been jailed for nine years. Sadeq Nikzad, 29, targeted the teenager after spotting her walking down a town centre street in Falkirk, Scotland on October 16 2023. He approached her and tried to start up a conversation with her before continually pestering her for her phone number. The 29-year-old then made several sexual comments, and eventually led the girl into a courtyard where he raped her, prosecutors said. After a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh, Nikzad was convicted on March 5. He was given a 12-year extended sentence involving nine years in custody and three years of supervision upon release. He was also added to the sex offenders register indefinitely, and given an indefinite non-harassment order banning contact with her. Katrina Parkes, procurator fiscal for High Court sexual offences, said: 'This was an appalling, opportunistic attack on a young girl who should have been safe going about her daily business. 'The victim should be commended for reporting Sadeq Nikzad to the police, ensuring that he has now been held accountable while also protecting others from harm. 'This type of offending will not be tolerated, and I hope this prosecution sends a clear message to men who commit serious acts of sexual violence against women and children. 'I would urge anyone who has experienced similar crime to report it. You will be listened to and supported as we use every tool available in seeking justice.' Detective inspector Forbes Wilson, from the Forth Valley public protection unit, said: 'This was a particularly harrowing attack which was carried out during daylight in a busy town centre. 'Nikzad's heinous actions had a profound effect on his young victim and I would like to commend her strength throughout this ordeal. 'I would also like to thank local officers for their excellent work which ensured Nikzad was identified, arrested and off the street within a few short hours following the incident. 'Police Scotland remains committed to tackling sexual crimes and bringing those responsible to justice. 'I'd encourage anyone who has been a victim of such crimes to come forward and report it to us. We'll thoroughly investigate and have specially trained officers and partner agencies to support you throughout.' Chief Inspector Alexander Hatrick, Area Commander for Falkirk, said: 'We understand that crimes of this nature have a serious impact on the local community. 'We will continue to work closely with partners to address any such concerns in the area.'
