An asylum seeker has appeared at Oxford Crown Court accused of raping a 15-year-old girl in a city alleyway before allegedly boasting about the attack in messages to friends. Amin Abedi Mofrad, 35, denies charges of rape and sexual assault relating to an incident in Oxford city centre in February last year.
Prosecutor Patrick Upward KC told the court that the alleged victim had been drinking with a friend in Oxford city centre on the evening of the incident. The court heard that the teenager, who was allegedly “unable to walk straight”, and her companion were walking towards a car park at approximately 10:30pm, expecting to be collected and taken home.
According to the prosecution’s case, at around 11:30pm, the two underage girls were “cat-called” by two men sitting on a bench. Mr Upward told jurors: “The defendant, the prosecution says, was the older man.”
Disturbing Allegations Presented to Court
The prosecutor alleged that Mofrad grabbed the teenager and “pulled on her jeans and her top” despite her protests. The court heard disturbing allegations that the defendant forced the girl to the ground beside the bench.
“His reaction was to force her to the ground, beside the bench, and say: ‘I want to f*** you… I want you to be our sex doll,'” Mr Upward told the jury, according to court proceedings. The prosecutor further alleged that Mofrad subsequently led the teenager down an alleyway where the alleged rape occurred.
The case has shocked the Oxford community, with the allegations painting a deeply troubling picture of predatory behaviour targeting a vulnerable teenager. The court heard that the alleged victim was intoxicated at the time of the incident, potentially affecting her ability to consent or defend herself.
Digital Evidence Presented to Jury
Oxford Crown Court heard that police investigators discovered what the prosecution described as significant digital evidence following Mofrad’s arrest. Officers examining the defendant’s mobile phone allegedly found two contacts saved with misspellings of the alleged victim’s name, with phone numbers that were one digit different from hers.
The prosecution presented what they termed “triumphant” text messages allegedly sent by Mofrad to a friend identified as Ali in the hours following the alleged assault. One message, reportedly sent just before 1am the day after the alleged rape, allegedly read: “I have never f**d a p*y like that.”
Another message, sent a few hours later, allegedly stated: “I have just f****d two different p*****s tonight.” Mr Upward described these messages to the court as “triumphant” in nature, suggesting they demonstrated the defendant’s attitude towards the alleged assault.
The prosecution also told the court that Mofrad allegedly sent a photograph of himself kissing the 15-year-old to contacts in his phone, though the specific recipients and timing of this image were part of the evidence being examined by the jury.
Arrest and Police Investigation
The court heard that the alleged victim did not immediately report the incident to police. According to the prosecution, the teenager later contacted an advice line about the assault, which led to the involvement of Thames Valley Police.
Mofrad was initially arrested in September, approximately seven months after the alleged incident. He was subsequently detained again in February of this year as the investigation progressed. During police interviews, the defendant told officers he had “never raped anyone”, the court was told.
The gap between the alleged incident and the initial report is not uncommon in sexual assault cases, experts note. Victims, particularly young people, often struggle with the trauma of such experiences and may delay reporting for various reasons including fear, shame, or uncertainty about the process.
Legal Proceedings and Trial Process
The trial at Oxford Crown Court is expected to continue for several days as the jury hears evidence from both prosecution and defence teams. Mofrad has entered not guilty pleas to charges of rape and sexual assault, meaning the prosecution must prove their case beyond reasonable doubt.
The court will likely hear testimony from various witnesses, including the alleged victim, her friend who was present on the night in question, and potentially other individuals who were in Oxford city centre at the time. Digital forensics experts may also be called to provide evidence about the mobile phone data and messages.
Under English law, the alleged victim in this case is entitled to automatic anonymity for life, meaning she cannot be identified in any media reports. This protection is designed to encourage victims of sexual offences to come forward without fear of public exposure.
Asylum Seeker Status and Legal Context
The defendant’s status as an asylum seeker adds another dimension to this case, though it is crucial to note that this status has no bearing on guilt or innocence regarding the charges. The court will consider only the evidence relating to the alleged offences, not the defendant’s immigration status.
Thames Valley Police and the Crown Prosecution Service have emphasised that all allegations of sexual assault are investigated thoroughly regardless of the background of either the accused or the complainant. The focus remains solely on establishing the facts of what occurred on the night in question.
The case comes at a time of heightened public attention on sexual violence against women and girls, particularly following several high-profile cases in recent years. Campaigners have long argued for better protection for vulnerable young people and more robust responses to allegations of sexual assault.
Support for Victims of Sexual Violence
This case highlights the ongoing challenges in protecting young people from sexual predators and ensuring justice for victims of sexual assault. Various support organisations offer help to those affected by sexual violence, including specialist services for young people.
The alleged victim in this case would have been offered support through specialist sexual assault referral centres (SARCs) which provide medical care, forensic examination, and emotional support to victims. These centres operate independently of police investigations, allowing victims to access help even if they choose not to report to authorities immediately.
Thames Valley Police work closely with organisations such as Oxfordshire Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Centre (OSARCC) to ensure victims receive appropriate support throughout the legal process. These services recognise the particular vulnerability of teenage victims and provide age-appropriate counselling and advocacy.
Public Safety Concerns
The allegations have raised concerns about safety in Oxford city centre, particularly for young people during evening hours. Local authorities and police have long-standing initiatives to improve safety in the city, including increased CCTV coverage and regular patrols of areas known for nighttime economy activity.
Thames Valley Police have reminded the public of the importance of staying safe when socialising in city centres, particularly regarding alcohol consumption and staying with trusted friends. They emphasise that whilst personal safety measures are important, the responsibility for sexual assault always lies solely with the perpetrator.
The force has also reiterated its commitment to investigating all reports of sexual assault thoroughly and supporting victims throughout the criminal justice process. They encourage anyone who has experienced sexual violence to come forward, regardless of when the incident occurred.
Ongoing Legal Proceedings
As the trial continues, the jury will be required to carefully consider all evidence presented by both the prosecution and defence. The burden of proof lies with the prosecution to establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt, a fundamental principle of the British justice system.
The defendant maintains his innocence, and it is important to remember that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The trial process ensures that evidence is tested rigorously and that defendants have the opportunity to challenge the case against them.
Oxford Crown Court has scheduled several more days for this trial, during which additional evidence and testimony will be presented. The judge will provide detailed legal directions to the jury before they retire to consider their verdict.
Wider Context and Implications
This case occurs against a backdrop of ongoing national conversation about violence against women and girls, consent education, and the treatment of sexual assault cases within the criminal justice system. Recent years have seen increased focus on these issues, with calls for reform in how such cases are investigated and prosecuted.
Statistics from the Crown Prosecution Service show that sexual offence prosecutions remain challenging, with conviction rates a subject of ongoing concern for campaigners and policymakers. The complexity of proving sexual offences, particularly when they occur in private settings without independent witnesses, continues to present difficulties for the justice system.
The outcome of this trial, whatever it may be, will be closely watched by those concerned with both public safety and the fair administration of justice. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of robust legal processes in dealing with serious criminal allegations.
As proceedings continue at Oxford Crown Court, the focus remains on establishing the truth of what occurred on that February evening in Oxford. The jury’s eventual verdict will be based solely on the evidence presented during the trial, following the careful legal directions provided by the presiding judge.
The trial continues.
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Image Credit:
Courts, Oxford — photo by Geograph / Mick Garratt (or from the Geograph project), licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
