Man sexually assaulted in Sheffield city centre by homeless thief who stole chain

Abdellah Montadar, of no fixed abode, was handed a suspended sentence and ordered to carry out 200 hours unpaid work by magistrates in Sheffield following the incident on November 5, 2017.

Paul Manning, prosecuting, said Montadar, 35, approached the victim as he walked down The Moor at around 12am and carried out the attack.

"The defendant approached the victim and asked him to come to him," he said.

"The defendant continued to walk towards him and had his arms open as he did so. When he got to the victim the defendant hugged him and reached right around his back.

"The defendant asked him if he was gay and the complainant pushed him away and at this point he kissed him on the cheek."

Mr Manning said the victim tried again to get away but Montadar grabbed his wrists and once again pulled him back towards him before groping him.

He added it wasn't until later the victim realised his chain, worth around £120, had been stolen.

Montadar, who cried at one point of the hearing, admitted a charge of theft at an earlier court appearance but denied a charge of sexual assault and was found guilty at Sheffield Magistrates' Court.

Mr Manning added the defendant was also subject to a conditional discharge at the time of the offence.

Sarah Staniland, mitigating, said Montadar came to the UK from Western Sahara eight years ago, where he served in the military.

She said: "I am very pleased to be able to say that this gentleman is remorseful and does accept that he did take a hold of the man's behind in an attempt to distract him.

"We know that sexual offences often escalate in severity but thankfully for the gentleman and for society that does not apply here.

"This was a ruse to do the main job in hand which was to acquire the chain."

Miss Staniland said Montadar had been homeless since arriving in the country and was not able to work due to immigration issues.

Bench chair Jayne Revill sentenced him to 12-weeks in jail, suspended for two years, and ordered him to carry out 200 hours unpaid work and subjected him to a 30-day Alcohol Treatment Requirement Order for the sexual assault charge.

He was also handed an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for two years for the theft to run concurrently, and ordered to sign the Sex Offenders' Register for seven years.

Montadar was also ordered to pay the victim £120 compensation.