Police are investigating two separate alleged attacks on women involving migrants living in taxpayer-funded hotels in England.
In London, a 26-year-old asylum seeker staying at the Thistle City Barbican hotel was arrested on suspicion of strangling a 20-year-old woman and later threatening her in the street. The alleged assault took place in March, but the man remains free while the investigation continues, according to the Mail on Sunday.
The victim was reportedly cat-called outside the migrant accommodation before being attacked the following day inside a nearby Tesco store, where she was allegedly grabbed by the neck. She later said she was “terrified” to see the suspect walking freely in the area after his arrest.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed the man had also been arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods after being found with a bank card in another person’s name. He has been released under investigation.
A Met spokesperson said: “It’s not always possible to charge someone immediately after arrest as there is often further evidence to gather to build a case to the required evidential standard. There is no mechanism to hold a person in custody for an extended period prior to charge… We acknowledge that in this case, the investigation has taken longer than we would ideally have wanted.”
In a separate case, Warwickshire Police have charged Ahmed Muhammad Almahi, 32, from Sudan, with sexually assaulting a woman in Rugby, around two miles from the Ibis hotel where he has been staying.
Almahi, described as an illegal immigrant, was arrested the day after the alleged assault, which took place last Monday evening. He appeared before Coventry Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday and has been remanded in custody ahead of a hearing at Warwick Crown Court on September 11.
The incident sparked protests outside the hotel on Friday and Saturday, with hundreds gathering in anger.
Local councillors have criticised police for not disclosing Almahi’s immigration status. Tory councillor Yousef Dahmash said he only learned about it through social media: “I didn’t think it would prejudice someone’s case if their immigration status was revealed.”
Warwickshire Police said the information became public at Coventry Magistrates’ Court and was shared with “community partners.” The force added: “At no point has any councillor, MP or other partner… come back to the force on the level of information we have released.”
The Rugby case follows criticism of Warwickshire Police last week for not revealing the immigration status of two Afghan asylum seekers charged over the rape of a 12-year-old girl in Nuneaton. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage accused the force of a “cover-up,” prompting Sir Keir Starmer’s spokesman to call for more transparency from police.
