On a Qatar Airways flight from Doha, Qatar, to Gatwick Airport in West Sussex, a serious sexual assault occurred in September 2023, highlighting vulnerabilities in air travel and the complexities of international jurisdiction in criminal prosecutions.
The perpetrator, Momade Jussab, a 66-year-old man from Swinfield Close in Feltham, was seated next to the victim, referred to as Kelly, a woman in her 20s from London. While Kelly slept during the flight, Jussab exploited the situation by reaching over and placing his hands down her trousers, committing sexual assault by penetration and two counts of sexual assault. The incident was reported immediately upon landing at Gatwick, where British authorities arrested Jussab. The case was investigated and prosecuted under UK law, enabled by updates to the Civil Aviation Act in 1996, which extended jurisdiction to criminal acts on foreign-registered aircraft bound for the UK.
- The assault took place mid-flight on a route en route to the UK.
- Jussab was detained at Gatwick Airport upon arrival.
- The victim, a UK citizen, has maintained her anonymity throughout the proceedings.
In May 2024, at Lewes Crown Court, Jussab was found guilty following a trial. He was sentenced to six and a half years' imprisonment for the offences. The court proceedings underscored the severity of the crime, with the judge emphasising the breach of trust and safety in a confined public space like an aircraft.
The case has drawn attention beyond the courtroom due to its aftermath. Kelly has been denied compensation under the Criminal Injuries Compensation (CIC) Scheme because the aircraft was not UK-registered, despite the crime being prosecuted in British courts. Represented by law firm Leigh Day, Kelly is challenging this decision, writing to Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood to urge reforms. Kelly stated: “I do not understand why I, and other victims like me, have been excluded from the CIC Scheme. I was attacked on a flight en route to the UK, I am a UK citizen, and this crime was investigated and prosecuted by British authorities. I should be entitled to compensation, and being excluded from the scheme is unfair and illogical. I am still suffering with the effects of the attack and want to move forward with my life.”
Leigh Day solicitor Claire Powell added: “Our client suffered an horrific sexual attack on a UK-bound flight. She was refused compensation under the Criminal Injuries Compensation scheme simply because it was a foreign flight and the rules have not been amended in line with the updates to the Civil Aviation Act. It is a gap that needs closing urgently and we trust the Justice Secretary will agree, particularly in light of this Government’s commitment to addressing violence against women and girls.” A Ministry of Justice spokesperson responded: “Our thoughts remain with this victim, and we remain resolute in our mission to halve violence against women and girls in a decade. The rules that the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority follows, and the values of payments for injuries, are set by Parliament. Other routes are available for victims to receive support.”
This incident, reported by The Standard on 19 August 2025, serves as a call for legal alignment between aviation jurisdiction and victim support mechanisms, ensuring that crimes committed in transit to the UK are fully addressed under domestic protections.