On Monday, the 14th of October, a man appeared in court after being arrested and charged with sexual assault and attempted rape in Cathays, Cardiff. For four months, South Wales Police have been investigating an attempted rape attack on a young woman on Sunday, the 12th of May in the Cathays area.
Fawaz Alsamaou, a 32-year-old man from West Yorkshire, has been charged with attempted rape and sexual assault and was taken to court. The alleged incident took place under a railway bridge by Senghennydd Hall university accommodation and Salisbury Road. The victim, aged 23, has said she was on her way home from a night out in the city centre with her friends. After leaving the nightclub Pulse, she appears to have been followed through the city centre to the location where the attack took place. The victim describes being forced to walk past him to get home prior to being stalked and attacked.
On BBC Crimewatch, DI Todd appealed for anyone to come forward with information regarding the attack. In an interview, DI Todd stated that the suspect initially remained at a distance, even crossing the road to create further distance between himself and the victim. However, as soon as the victim moved onto St Andrews Place and walked towards the railway bridge, his speed increased, closing the distance between them. The suspect then attempted to engage in sexually explicit conversation, before proceeding to place his hand up the victim’s skirt and grabbing her neck. He was last seen under the railway bridge after the victim ran onto Salisbury Road.
Since the incident, South Wales police have urged anyone with information to come forward. The victim has been scarred from the event and has stated that she has had trouble sleeping and that it has taken weeks for her to gain the confidence to leave the house. CCTV footage identified the suspect alongside information provided by the victim and witnesses.
No further news has been released since the court hearing on Monday, the 14th of October.