Migrant Accused of Sex Crimes Received Taxpayer-Funded Home
A migrant who arrived in the UK by boat has been accused of exposing himself to two young girls just days after being housed in a government-provided property.
A migrant who arrived in the UK on a small boat has been accused of sex crimes against two young girls days after being given a taxpayer-funded home. Mohammed Abbas, 29, who claims to be Palestinian, arrived in Britain via dinghy from France in March. By June, he was in custody facing charges including sexual assault, common assault, assaulting a police officer, and assault by beating. During his sentencing at Coventry Magistrates' Court, he received 300 hours of community service and a £100 fine. The sexual assault and common assault charges were dropped as prosecutors presented no evidence.
Following his release, Abbas was moved into a two-bedroom house in Cardiff provided by the Home Office. The property was valued at £250,000, and he was the sole resident. However, on July 30, just two days after moving in, he trespassed on a family home. Two sisters, aged 13 and 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 charges of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child for sexual gratification. He also admitted to trespass with intent to commit a sexual offense and burglary for stealing a phone and AirPods from the residence.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp criticized the handling of such cases, 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 stated its intention to deport Abbas at the earliest opportunity, though deportations to Gaza or the Palestinian territories are often obstructed by legal challenges. A spokesperson said, "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. Removals of foreign national offenders are up 41 per cent, with nearly 12,000 returned or deported since the Government came to power to the end of this March."