Migrant Accused of Sex Crimes Granted Home, Faces New Charges

A migrant accused of sex crimes allegedly exposed himself to two young girls days after being provided with a taxpayer-funded home. Mohammed Abbas, 29, who claims to be Palestinian, arrived in the UK on a dinghy from France in March.

By June, Abbas was in custody facing charges including sexual assault on a woman, common assault, assaulting a police officer, and assault by beating. During sentencing at Coventry Magistrates' Court, he received 300 hours of community service and a £100 fine. The sexual assault and common assault charges were later dropped due to a lack of evidence presented by prosecutors.

Following his release, Abbas was moved into a two-bedroom house in Cardiff provided by the Home Office, reportedly valued at £250,000, with him as the sole occupant. On July 30, just two days after moving into the residence, he trespassed on a family home. Two sisters, one aged 13 and the other under 16, reported waking up at 2 a.m. to find Abbas exposing himself.

Last month at Cardiff Crown Court, Abbas pleaded guilty to two counts of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child for sexual gratification. He also admitted to trespass with the intent of committing a sexual offense and burglary, which involved stealing a phone and AirPods from the family's home.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp commented on the case, stating, "Every week a new story emerges of an illegal channel migrant or asylum seeker attacking women or girls. These sickening attacks are a danger to every woman and girl where illegal immigrants are accommodated."

The Home Office has indicated its intention to deport Abbas at the earliest opportunity, though deportations to Gaza or the Palestinian territories can be legally challenged. A Home Office spokesperson stated, "Our thoughts are with the victims of Abbas' vile crimes. We are boosting the number of officers on the ground in France and removing the pull factors drawing people here through illegal routes."

Reports also highlight the case of Avdi Alija, 39, who arrived illegally in the UK at age 14 and has been convicted of 50 criminal offenses. Alija was part of a gang involved in a kidnapping in 2018, where a victim was held captive, assaulted, and threatened. Despite being considered a danger to the community, an immigration judge granted Alija's appeal to remain in the UK under human rights laws, citing his lack of documentation proving his nationality and his Roma identity as reasons he could face ill-treatment if deported to Kosovo. The judge ruled that Alija would face treatment contrary to Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights, making his deportation prohibited.