Asylum seeker jailed for raping 15-year-old girl

Mofrad was jailed at Oxford Crown Court on Thursday

An asylum seeker who raped a "vulnerable" 15-year-old girl in a busy city centre has been jailed.

Amin Abedi Mofrad, who had been staying at an asylum hotel, attacked the schoolgirl near Oxford's Westgate shopping centre on the evening of 14 February 2024.

Last month, the 35-year-old, who is originally from Iran, was found guilty at Oxford Crown Court of rape and sexual assault by penetration.

Judge Maria Lamb sentenced Mofrad to nine years and six months in prison with an extended licence period of three years.

She said Mofrad, of Mill Lane, Reading, represented a significant risk of committing further offences and causing harm.

"You were 34 and she was 15. While you may not have realised she was under 16 she looked young and you exploited the vulnerability of someone much younger," the judge said.

Prosecution barrister Patrick Upward KC said the victim had been particularly vulnerable, having drunk half a bottle of vodka and was "clearly intoxicated" when she met Mofrad on Queen Street that evening.

He said Mofrad had taken her to St Ebbes Street and then into the Westgate centre before the teenager was able to make her escape.

The court heard that Mofrad and another man assaulted the victim, but Mofrad refused to name the accomplice, who has not been arrested.

It was first reported to police in April last year, two months after the assault, with Mofrad arrested and released on bail.

Due to the time that had passed between the attack and it being reported, Thames Valley Police said CCTV evidence had been unavailable.

Mofrad met the girl, who was "clearly intoxicated", in Queen Street in Oxford city centre

It was through Project Vigilant - a police initiative targeting predatory behaviour in Oxford city centre - that officers were able to arrest Mofrad.

Evidence linking him to the offences was discovered on his mobile phone in December 2024.

In February this year he was arrested, charged and remanded in custody.

The prosecution said Mofrad had taken a photo of himself kissing his victim without her knowledge.

It also emerged that he had taken a short video of himself kissing a different girl on the same evening.

The court heard Mofrad gave no comment in two lengthy police interviews.

'Bravery'

The prosecution said Mofrad had a string of convictions for assault in Germany and that violence played a significant part in the events that unfolded during the attack.

Det Con Bethany Liversidge, of Thames Valley Police, said the victim had shown "immense courage".

"It is thanks to her support and bravery that we were able to bring Mofrad to justice," she said.

"I hope that this result illustrates how committed Thames Valley Police is in investigating and preventing violence against women and girls and bringing offenders to justice."

She added: "Project Vigilant is a valuable initiative which helps us to prevent crimes from happening, but when they sadly do, allows us to continue to build intelligence around predatory activity.

"The victim and their family have requested privacy at this time."