Iranian Asylum Seeker Jailed for Cheltenham Sex Assault Horror

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He sentenced him to 27 months in a young offender’s institution for both counts, to run concurrently.

Banafsha will also be on the Sex Offender’s Register for 10 years and must notify police of his address during that period.

A victim personal statement read to the court detailed her ongoing trauma.

She said she had to prepare for “the worst possible scenario” and still could not breathe from fear during the assault.

The strength from that fear enabled her to fight back and escape.

She has since changed her entire life: stopping nights out, only socialising with her boyfriend, drinking solely at home, dyeing her hair, joining a gym and getting more tattoos to avoid resembling the girl Banafsha assaulted.

She told the court she would remember his face for life but refused to let him define her.

Probation assessed Banafsha as a high risk of harm to the public, particularly females.

In mitigation, defence counsel said he changed his plea after re-watching the CCTV, adding it was a pity the victim did not alert pub staff when she asked to use their toilets while Banafsha held her arm.

The court heard Banafsha arrived in the UK by small boat in March 2024, claiming his life was at risk in Iran.

He lived in Home Office accommodation outside Gloucestershire and had travelled to Cheltenham for the weekend to stay with a friend.

Judge Lambert acknowledged the guilty plea spared the complainant cross-examination but stressed she had endured a great deal on the night and while awaiting trial.

Detective Constable Helen Goode, investigating officer, said Banafsha denied wrongdoing until confronted with evidence in court, including footage of the victim fleeing in fear.

She praised the victim’s bravery throughout the process.

DC Goode noted the victim spoke to pub staff while Banafsha held her arm, asking to use the toilets.

She urged night-time economy workers to watch for perpetrator behaviour, even if victims cannot openly seek help via schemes such as Ask for Angela.

Gloucestershire Constabulary runs Project Vigilant, deploying plain-clothed officers trained in behavioural detection to intercept predatory conduct before offences occur.

The initiative, piloted by Thames Valley Police, targets actions often displayed prior to sexual crimes.

A Home Office spokesperson confirmed any foreign national convicted and receiving a custodial sentence of 12 months or more is referred for deportation under the UK Borders Act 2007.