Three Women Attacked by Man on Bike

A 26-year-old man has escaped jail after sexually assaulting three women while cycling through Horley. Qais Al-Aswad was convicted of three counts of sexual assault by touching following incidents between late May and mid-June this year.

The attacks happened at separate locations, including outside Dentistree and The Factory Shop. In one shocking incident, Al-Aswad grabbed a woman’s pubic area before blowing her a kiss when she shouted at him.

Suspended Sentence and Tough Restrictions

At Guildford Magistrates’ Court on 22 October, Al-Aswad was handed a six-month prison term, suspended for two years. He must also complete 200 hours of unpaid community work.

On top of that, he’s been slapped with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and must wear an electronic tag. His cycling privileges in public are banned unless the bike has GPS tracking to monitor his movements.

Police Praise Victims and Quick Justice

Detective Inspector Helen Cooper led the investigation and praised the victims for coming forward. She said:

“I am grateful for the swift action taken by officers who worked to identify Al-Aswad as being responsible for all three offences and ensure he was charged, remanded and brought before the courts. Incidents of this nature are distressing and concerning for our local communities. As a Force, we remain committed to tackling violence against women and girls, and I hope the fact that Al-Aswad was quickly identified, charged and remanded into custody shows that reports are taken seriously and will be investigated thoroughly.”

The victims attended court and described feeling “unsafe and disgusted” following the attacks.

Background and Arrest

Al-Aswad, originally from Syria, was living in asylum accommodation at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Horley during the attacks. He was arrested after a police probe and found guilty at Staines Magistrates’ Court in August.