Ali Hamad, a Sudanese national and asylum seeker, has been convicted of multiple sexual assaults and related offences against women in both London and Cardiff, demonstrating a clear pattern of predatory behaviour. His latest incident occurred in the early hours of 24 November 2024, when he approached two young women walking home along Cathays Terrace in Cardiff after a night out. Hamad sexually assaulted one by placing a heavy hand on her bare shoulder and slapped the other three times in the face after she intervened, leaving bruises on her arms. A passer-by intervened, leading to his arrest by South Wales Police.
Prior to this, Hamad had committed several disturbing offences in London during the summer of 2024. On 14 August 2024, he assaulted an off-duty female police officer on a bus by touching her bottom and attempting to put his arm around her, then masturbating after she escaped. Earlier, on 20 July 2024, witnesses saw him openly masturbating on a busy London street, ejaculating into his hand and wiping it on his trousers while pointing at female passers-by. On the same day, he approached another woman from behind and touched her back with his penis. These acts were described in court as outraging public decency and sexual assault.
Hamad appeared at Croydon Magistrates' Court on 11 November 2024, where he was sentenced to a 12-week jail term for the London offences. However, due to time served on remand, he was released shortly after and travelled to Cardiff, where he was sofa-surfing with friends from the local Sudanese community. There, he continued his offending spree, leading to his trial at Cardiff Magistrates' Court.
During the Cardiff trial, the victims provided compelling testimony. One woman described Hamad as 'skittish' and intimidating, stating, 'We were so intimidated and scared. It was a fight or flight situation.' The other recounted the terror, saying, 'As soon as he was arrested I burst into tears.' Hamad claimed he was the victim, alleging the women attacked him first and that he only asked for a phone number to 'get to know her better' because he liked her physique. However, Deputy District Judge Gareth Williams rejected his account, calling the victims 'credible and truthful witnesses' and noting that CCTV footage contradicted Hamad's story. The judge found the shoulder touching brought Hamad sexual gratification and convicted him of sexual assault and two counts of assault by beating.
At sentencing the following day before District Judge Charlotte Murphy, Hamad's defence argued the Cardiff incident was less serious than previous assaults and highlighted his rootless life without a job or fixed address. Nevertheless, Judge Murphy described his behaviour as 'predatory,' stating, 'You have deliberately targeted and approached two lone females. You have intimidated them and assaulted them physically and sexually... You clearly have an emerging pattern of offending against females.' She imposed an eight-month custodial sentence, ordered £300 compensation to one victim and £250 to the other, and a 10-year sexual harm prevention order restricting his interactions with lone females without permission or awareness of his convictions. The court heard confusion over Hamad's age, estimated at 24 or 27, and noted his expired immigration card.
This case, reported by WalesOnline and based on proceedings at Cardiff Magistrates' Court, underscores the ongoing threat posed by repeat sexual offenders, with South Wales Police investigating the Cardiff assaults.