Iranian asylum seeker jailed after sexually assaulting teenage girl

His Honour Justice Mann handed Khalafi a four-and-a-half-year custodial sentence, and a further three years on licence.

Khalafi was granted refugee status in the summer of 2024, claiming he would face persecution if he returned to Iran after converting to Christianity.

His victim, 19-year-old Abbie Johnson, who has waived her right to anonymity, told GB News she wants to ‘save someone else from going through what I went through’.

Abbie was attacked by Khalafi while she played hide and seek with her friends after a night out in Bishop Stortford in May last year.

The teenager was hiding in a bush when the 29-year-old Iranian asylum seeker "forcefully and aggressively" assaulted her.

The court was shown CCTV of the assault, which took place over 10-12 minutes.

Sentencing, His Honour Judge Mann said: "You acted on that day as a predator. You saw someone who was vulnerable and took advantage of her.

Khalafi previously admitted to four counts of sexual assault by touching at St Albans Crown Court in December last year.

Defending him, Joe Davidson, said Khalafi "remains very much a foreigner, and is not someone who’s accustomed to alcohol and western norms".

Mr Davidson said: "Has very little formal education, very little cultural understanding of what is acceptable way to behave in England."

Judge Mann ruled Khalafi could pose a further risk to women, and told the defendant, "I’m not entirely persuaded you don't know the difference between right and wrong, it doesn't matter your background, anyone would know not to go up to a helpless woman and sexually assault them. That’s not right anywhere".

At St Albans Crown Court, Abbie bravely read her victim impact statement.

She told the court that she now feels scared in her own home, struggles to sleep and has "experienced ongoing depression and at times feels suicidal".

She said: "I no longer recognise myself, I am disconnected to the person I was before this."

Abbie previously told GB News the assault left her paralysed with fear, and has had a profound impact on her life.

WATCH NOW: Abbie Johnson speaks out after being sexually assaulted by Iranian asylum seeker

She told Patrick Christys in December last year "it has affected every single part of my life".

"Before this all happened, I felt like I was a normal teenage girl.

"And now I feel like I’m living with precaution, every time I leave the house, I’m wondering who’s around the corner."

Abbie and her mother, Stacey, now want Khalafi deported.

Stacey told GB News’ Patrick Christys: "Parents need to be aware that our kids are not safe. If people do come to this country and they commit a crime, to me, that should be instant deportation.

"We’re not safe in our country now, and I feel like the people that are coming to our country have got more rights and more protection than what we have."

A Home Office spokesman said: "This government will not allow foreign criminals and illegal migrants to exploit our laws, which is why we are reforming human rights laws and replacing the broken appeals system, allowing us to scale up deportations.

"All Foreign National Offenders who receive a prison sentence in the UK are referred for deportation at the earliest opportunity."

Detective Sergeant Adam Haines from Hertfordshire Police said: "First and foremost, I would like to commend the victim for the courage she has shown throughout.

"Whilst I am grateful that she was spared the ordeal of having to go through a trial, preparing for it understandably left the victim feeling extremely stressed and scared.

"She continues to be deeply affected by Khalafi’s actions to this day.

"I’d also like to thank the investigation team for their hard work in bringing the case to court and securing a conviction. A sexual predator is now behind bars as a result."