A man living in Newcastle has been handed a suspended sentence after subjecting two women to distressing sexual assaults aboard a TransPennine Express train. Hamada Salah, whose status as an asylum seeker was mentioned during court proceedings, avoided immediate jail time despite what the judge described as a “terrible ordeal” for his victims.
Disturbing Incidents on Board
Salah targeted two lone women during the incidents, both of which occurred in separate carriages of the same train. According to court testimony:
- First Victim: Salah attempted to inappropriately touch a woman under the table, brushing against her legs and trying to look up her skirt. The victim reported feeling highly unsafe and violated during the encounter.
- Second Victim: Salah moved to another carriage where he showed explicit pornographic images to an elderly woman and rubbed his groin near her, leaving her deeply distressed. He reportedly made inappropriate comments, including referring to one victim as “the perfect age for sex.”
Salah reportedly laughed when caught showing obscene images on his phone.
Court Proceedings
Judge Carolyn Scott, presiding over the case, condemned Salah’s actions as a significant violation of his victims’ safety and privacy. Despite these remarks, the court imposed a 44-week suspended sentence, allowing Salah to remain in the community under specific conditions.
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As part of his sentencing, Salah was given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), which prohibits him from contacting unknown women on public transport. The court also imposed restrictions aimed at preventing further offenses.
Public Concern
The decision to issue a suspended sentence rather than immediate imprisonment has sparked concern among commentators and local residents. Critics argue that the safety of women on public transport must be prioritized, especially following highly publicized campaigns to make public spaces safer for women.
