Ali Azzizi had drunk a bottle of Jack Daniels plus beer before grabbing his victim at the city centre bar
A WOMAN was left feeling “violated, ashamed and disgusted” after she was a sexually assaulted on a night out at Kiwis Bar in Cardiff city centre, a court heard.
Ali Azzizi, 21, of Cathays Terrace, Cardiff, had followed the young woman out into the smoking area of Kiwis Bar when he grabbed her bottom against her will.
Cardiff Magistrates Court heard the victim was left feeling “violated, ashamed and disgusted” by the assault, which happened on May 19, 2024.
Azzizi pleaded guilty to a single charge of sexual assault. Handing him a suspended sentence, magistrate Peter Ghroum said he considered the “seriousness of the event” and the “serious psychological impact of the victim”.
Elin Morgan, prosecuting, told the court that after the assault, the victim asked Azzizi what he was doing and slapped him before he walked away. Azzizi randomly targeted the victim, and had no prior conversation with her before the assault, the prosecutor continued.
The prosecutor said the victim was left “teary” and “emotional” when she later asked door staff at Kiwis Bar for help. They then contacted police. A subsequent search through CCTV footage showed the assault, leading to Azzizi’s arrest. That footage was played to magistrate Mr Ghroum in court.
The prosecutor said Mr Azzizi had drunk a bottle of Jack Daniels and a few beers before the assault. When questioned by officers at Cardiff Bay Police Station, Mr Azzizi told officers “he did not know why he did it and that he was drunk. The court heard the assault was “caused by Mr Azzizi being under the influence of alcohol”.
Will Marshall, defending, said Mr Azzizi only understood why he had been arrested after he was shown CCTV footage of the assault at Cardiff Police Station. Mr Marshall said Mr Azzizi was “disgusted with himself” when he realised what he had done.
Mr Marshall said Mr Azzizi had a “troubled earlier life”. He did not come to the UK lawfully, but “had good reason for why he left Iran”. He had no previous convictions and “fully co-operated” with officers, the defence solicitor said.
Mr Marshall clarified that he did not wish to diminish the seriousness of the offence, and called for the magistrates to impose a community order so that Mr Azzizi can be rehabilitated.
Before sentencing him, magistrate Mr Ghroum told the court that he took into account Mr Azzizi’s use of alcohol that night, the seriousness of the offence, and the serious psychological impact on the victim.
Mr Ghroum told Azzizi his offence would have been a 26-week custodial sentence, reduced to 18 weeks due to his early guilty plea and suspended for 12 months. Mr Ghroum said this was due to Azzizi’s previous clear character and the remorse he showed.
Azzizi was also ordered to carry out 25 days of rehabilitation activity with the probation service.
He must pay £739, which includes £85 in court costs, £154 in surcharge costs, and £500 to the victim as compensation.
