Iraqi boat migrant convicted of south kensington hostel rape

A 30-year-old asylum seeker who arrived in the United Kingdom via a small boat crossing has been found guilty of raping a woman at a hostel in South Kensington.

Yousif Al-Maliki was convicted by a majority jury verdict of 10-2 at Southwark Crown Court on Monday, 9 March 2026, following a week-long trial into the August 2025 attack.

The court heard that the Iraqi national carried out the sexual assault at the Astor Hostel while staying in a 12-bed shared dormitory, targeting a woman he had only recently encountered.

Al-Maliki, who claimed to have fled "torture" in Baghdad due to his sexual orientation, had been residing in Home Office-approved accommodation at the Peckham Lodge Hotel at the time of his arrest.

Prosecutor Jose Olivares-Chandler confirmed to the court that the defendant’s asylum application has been placed on formal hold pending the final conclusion of these criminal proceedings.

Read more: Asylum seeker jailed for groping teen on central line tube

Despite Al-Maliki’s reliance on an Arabic interpreter throughout the trial, Judge Christopher Hehir noted that the defendant appeared to "understand English perfectly well" in his interactions.

Defence counsel argued that Al-Maliki is a bisexual Iraqi national who arrived illegally but sought refuge from persecution, a claim that was scrutinised during the trial.

Following the verdict, Judge Hehir ordered a comprehensive assessment for dangerousness to be conducted by the probation service ahead of the sentencing hearing.

The judge warned the defendant that he should be under "no illusion" and faces a substantial custodial sentence for what was described as a "very serious offence."

Read more: Britain Doesn’t Need Another Asylum White Paper. It Needs a Backbone.

Under the current sentencing guidelines for rape, Al-Maliki faces a significant prison term, which will likely be served in a high-security facility before any potential deportation is considered.