Afghan immigrant who fled to Britain after the Taliban came to power accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl while walking her dog

An immigrant who fled Afghanistan when the Taliban took power has appeared in court after being accused of abusing a 14-year-old girl while she walked her dog.

Gulahmad Oryakhail, 21, who was allowed into Britain under the armed forces resettlement programme, is said to have forced his hands under the young teenager’s bra and between her legs near Harbor Park Amusements in Littlehampton.

He appeared in custody at Crawley Magistrates’ Court, where he was sent to Lewes Crown Court for a hearing in preparation for a plea and trial on November 26.

He is accused of sexually assaulting the girl on October 25 and stalking her between October 25 and 27.

The court heard Oryakhail repeatedly kissed the schoolgirl on the lips and neck while asking for sex, and tried to drag her to a more secluded area.

The 14-year-old was reportedly attacked while walking the family dog ​​near Harbor Park Amusements (pictured)

The alleged attack took place on Windmill Road (pictured), but Gulahmad Oryakhail disputes the allegations

Oryakhail appeared in custody at Crawley Magistrates’ Court, where he was sent to Lewes Crown Court (pictured) for a hearing in preparation for a plea and trial on November 26.

Prosecutor Jeremy King said Oryakhail then bombarded the complainant with phone messages over the next two days and was arrested near her home address.

He has been in Great Britain for twelve months and lives with his parents.

The girl’s family had been searching for Oryakhail and were described by Mr King as ‘angry and agitated’ when police arrived to arrest him.

The prosecutor asked to keep the young Afghan in custody because: “He would pose a real risk to vulnerable young people in the area.”

The magistrates agreed that he should remain in custody.

Long-haired and bearded Oryakhail, who required the assistance of an interpreter, was cycling along the coast and will contest the charges.

Oryakhail claims the girl told him she was 18 years old, consented to sexual contact with him and voluntarily gave him her phone number.

Oryakhail, of Fairlight Court, Pier Road, Littlehampton, who works part-time in a local Wimpy bar, was granted British residency through his brother, who assisted the British Armed Forces, allowing the whole family to settle in Britain.

In 2021, the UK Government agreed that Afghan citizens, who had served in or assisted our armed forces, were entitled to permanent residency under the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy.

Their applications can also include a partner, dependent children and additional family members, and as of November 2023, there were still more than 2,000 eligible Afghans queuing for UK residency.