A Bolton man has been jailed for eight and a half years following the trial for the serious sexual assault of a woman in a car, after she had enjoyed a night out with friends.
Basil Alothman 44, of Waggon Road, Bolton, who was unknown to the victim, was found guilty following a 9-day trial at Manchester Crown Court.
The jury heard that the victim had been out on the evening of Friday 28 January 2022, first for a family meal to celebrate a birthday and then onto Level Nightclub, on Nelson Square in Bolton, with friends.
The woman – who cannot be named for legal reasons – told the court behind screens that she remembered drinking alcohol and dancing with her friends, before her memory blacked out. She then woke up in a car to find Alothman on top of her, committing the serious sexual assault.
The next thing she then remembered was waking up at her mother’s house and, after she confided in a friend, the police were called, and an investigation ensued.
The victim then received a number of messages from an unknown phone number in the days that followed the attack, telling her they were “sorry.” It was later proven to be a phone registered to Alothman.
In summing up the case the judge noted that Alothman had been driving around the Bolton area between 2.30am and 5.00am looking for sexual activity. He has then identified a lone female who was clearly very intoxicated and exploited these vulnerabilities.
Following the conviction, DC Andrew Jameson from the Bolton district said: “Yesterday’s sentencing is reflective of this truly awful crime, and I would like to personally thank the young woman, who displayed such bravery, for assisting us with our enquiries throughout our investigation, which has led to this man’s incarceration.
“Men like Alothman prey on young, vulnerable women and think it’s okay to take advantage of them when they don’t have the ability to consent. Serious sexual assaults, such as these, are truly heinous and we would urge anyone who thinks that they have been a victim of such assaults to get in touch with us.
“We guarantee that you will be listened to, and you will be believed.”
