## Case Overview
A Saudi Arabian asylum seeker, Muslih Alotaibi, 39, appeared in court charged with groping a woman at Bank Underground station in London. The incident allegedly occurred on April 13, when he intentionally touched a woman over the age of 16 without her consent and without a reasonable belief that she was consenting. Alotaibi appeared at Inner London Crown Court wearing a grey and blue waterproof coat and was assisted by an Arabic interpreter. His hearing was adjourned until January 9 as he was unrepresented and he was due to enter his plea then. The trial is scheduled for April 16 next year.
## Details of Allegation and Court Proceedings
Muslih Alotaibi is accused of sexual assault on a Tube train at Bank station. During the court hearing, Judge Benedict Kelleher informed Alotaibi about the charges and explained that the case would go before a jury where Alotaibi can present his evidence. At the time of the incident, the victim was a 17-year-old girl traveling home in the evening. The court heard that she had every right to use public transport without facing harassment. Alotaibi initially denied the allegations during police questioning, claiming he was playing chess on his phone and that the girl was upset without reason.
## Background and Additional Information
Alotaibi arrived in the UK as an asylum seeker from Saudi Arabia in 2023. His children and former spouse still reside in Saudi Arabia. The assault led to his appearance in court, where during sentencing hearings he communicated through an Arabic interpreter. The judge emphasized that young women should feel safe on public transport and highlighted the victim’s right to security and freedom from harassment.
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> "The victim was a 17-year-old girl simply traveling home in the evening on the underground. She had every right to go about her day without facing harassment, and young women should feel secure while using public transport." — Judge Benedict Kelleher
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This case highlights ongoing concerns about safety and harassment in public transport spaces, underscoring the importance of legal recourse and protection for victims.
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Daily Mail — 2025-11-25