Brexit restricts sex attacker's prison sentence

Judge Simon Hirst said he was unable to take Ali Hasan Ali's previous Bulgarian convictions into account when considering his sentence

A Bulgarian national who carried out a string of sexual attacks would have been given a stronger sentence if the UK was still in the European Union, a judge said.

Ali Hasan Ali, 32, of Skirbeck Road, Boston, admitted four charges of sexual assault and four charges of exposure following incidents on lone women in the town between 10 January and 28 February.

Lincoln Crown Court heard prior to moving to the UK, Ali had three convictions for sexual assault on children in his native country, which Judge Simon Hirst was unable to take into account following Brexit.

Passing a 28-month sentence, Judge Hirst said the government "plainly did not consider that aspect" of Brexit on legal proceedings and was unable to classify Ali as a dangerous offender.

"You will serve half of that (sentence) in custody and then inevitably be deported," Judge Hirst added.

The court heard Ali had been released from a Bulgarian jail on 15 December and moved to Lincolnshire the following month.

Prosecution barrister David Eager said Ali carried out his first attack within three weeks of his release from custody.

The first occurred when Ali exposed himself to a female postal worker as she carried out deliveries on Skirbeck Road.

A second woman was also sexually assaulted on Skirbeck Road on two different occasions.

A third incident saw two young women assaulted by Ali as they walked near Boston college and his final attack ended when a woman kicked Ali in the crotch as she defended herself.

In addition to his prison sentence, Ali was ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for 10 years and made subject of a sexual harm prevention order.

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