Man convicted of raping 15-year-old in city centre

The attack happened near the Westgate Shopping Centre in Oxford

A man has been convicted of raping a teenager near a busy city centre shopping centre.

Amin Abedi Mofrad, who is an asylum seeker staying in Reading, attacked the 15-year-old close to the Westgate Shopping Centre in Oxford on 14 February 2024.

It was first reported to police in April this year, with Mofrad - who is originally from Iran - arrested and charged soon after.

On Tuesday, a jury at Oxford Crown Court unanimously found the 35-year-old guilty of one count of rape and one count of sexual assault by penetration. He will be sentenced at the same court on 13 November.

Det Con Bethany Liversidge said Mofrad's conviction sent a "clear message" that the force was "committed to bringing anybody who harms women and girls to justice".

"I want to pay tribute to the incredible bravery shown by the teenage victim in this case," she said.

"She has endured immense stress and trauma, yet found the courage to come forward and hold Mofrad to account."

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

It was through Project Vigilant - a police initiative to target predatory behaviour in Oxford city centre - that police has been able to arrest Mofrad.

Evidence linking him to the offences was then discovered on his mobile phone.

"Project Vigilant is a valuable initiative which helps us to stop crimes from happening, but when they sadly do, allows us to build intelligence around predatory activity," Det Con Liversidge said.

"We will not hesitate to take action against those who pose a threat to innocent people."