Girl, 16, Left Anxious Around Older Men After Algerian Attacker's Sex Assault Conviction Ends in Suspended Sentence

A 16-year-old girl sexually assaulted near Liverpool Street station has been left anxious around older men after her attacker, Algerian national Sofiane Belasri, avoided immediate jail with a two-year prison sentence suspended for two years at Southwark Crown Court.

The teenager had been drinking with friends when Belasri joined the group outside the busy London station. Prosecutors said he told her she was 'beautiful' before touching her breasts over her clothing. The court later heard that the assault continues to affect how safe she feels at night, particularly around older men.

Sofiane Belasri Assault Left Teenager Cautious in London

Belasri first approached the group at Liverpool Street station and offered to buy them wine. He spent £12 at a nearby shop before sitting with the teenagers on steps opposite the station on Bishopsgate.

The girl told him she was 'gay' and was not interested in him, according to the prosecution.

Belasri then made sexual comments to her friends and offered to buy them vapes if they performed oral sex on him in an alleyway near the station.

One of the friends went to Bishopsgate police station to report what was happening. City of London Police officers subsequently arrested Belasri.

During sentencing, prosecutor Wajahat Sherwani read a victim impact statement describing how the incident had affected the teenager. The statement said that although time had passed, she remained cautious about going out in London at night.

Recorder Margia Mostafa said Belasri had taken advantage of a young girl who was drunk and had bought more alcohol after seeing her condition. The judge said he had realised she was both young and intoxicated and had decided to exploit that vulnerability.

'Even though the incident happened a few years ago it still affects the girl deeply,' the judge said. She added that the teenager 'feels very anxious around older people and in the presence of older men' and had become much more careful about where she goes when out late.

Sofiane Belasri Given Suspended Sentence and Restrictions

A jury at Southwark Crown Court found Belasri guilty following a trial in July 2024 over the sexual assault. He received a two-year jail term suspended for two years, meaning he was not sent immediately to prison.

The court also banned him for 10 years from approaching a female under 18 in a public place, except where contact arises through his employment or during an emergency. He was placed on the sex offenders' register for 10 years and ordered to complete 15 sessions of the Building Choices programme and a 20-hour rehabilitation activity requirement.

Defence barrister Derek Barry described the sexual offence as an 'out of character incident' while addressing the court.

The court heard that his right to remain in Britain had expired in 2017 and that an application to renew it was unsuccessful.

Sofiane Belasri Sentence Under Police Review

Detective Inspector Matthew Alexander, of the City of London Police Public Protection Unit, praised the victim and her friends for coming forward.

'I want to praise the victim and her friends for the bravery they have demonstrated in coming forward,' he said. 'Without her assistance we wouldn't have been able to bring this case to court.'

Alexander said specialist officers were trained to handle reports of sexual offences with care and sensitivity and urged anyone affected by similar offences, or concerned about another person's safety, to contact police.

The force said it remained committed to tackling violence against women and girls through enforcement, victim-focused investigations and preventative work with partners across the Square Mile.

Police said they were reviewing the sentence handed down by the court. 'We are reviewing the sentence handed down by the court,' Alexander said.