Akash Krishna Shrestha

Akash Krishna Shrestha, a 25-year-old recent graduate from Arts University Bournemouth, committed a brazen sexual assault by sneaking into student accommodation in Bournemouth in September 2021. The incident, which profoundly impacted two female students, unfolded in the early hours of the morning and led to Shrestha's conviction at Bournemouth Crown Court.

According to court proceedings reported by the Dorset Echo, the victims had retired to bed around 11pm. At approximately 5am, Shrestha followed a group of people into the building, gaining unauthorised access. CCTV footage presented in court captured him tensing his muscles in a mirror before proceeding to the victims' flat. He broke into the first woman's room, where she awoke to find him standing over her in the darkness—she had left the lights on before sleeping, but they were now off.

Prosecutor Andy Houston detailed how Shrestha removed his trousers and underwear, climbed onto the bed, and assaulted the woman by kissing her and placing his hands inside her knickers, pinning her into the corner of the bed. The victim fought back, managing to escape and alert a security guard. Undeterred, Shrestha then entered a second room, pulling the blanket off another woman who shouted at him, prompting his retreat.

• The first victim stated in her impact statement: 'I want him to know how he has affected innocent people’s lives because he can’t control himself. I never deserved any of this. Because he thought it was okay to trespass into an innocent person’s home he took away their right to sleep safely, their right to privacy, to dignity and how about the right to sleep without being sexually assaulted?'
• The second victim added: 'I dreamt of studying in Bournemouth but the defendant had “ruined” her experience.'

In mitigation, Robert Grey read letters from Shrestha to the victims, in which he apologised, expressed shock at his actions, and claimed his drink had been spiked after a night out at Cameo nightclub. He described the behaviour as 'out of character' and noted his family's view of him as 'kind'. Despite this, Judge Brian Forster QC imposed a severe sentence on 20 December 2021, highlighting the terror and lasting effects on the victims, including loss of confidence, sleep disturbances, and heightened safety fears.

The court also addressed Shrestha's admission to charges of sexually assaulting a woman and trespassing with intent to sexually assault. Sources from the Dorset Echo article confirm the profound violation of the victims' privacy and security in what should have been a safe student environment.