Man jailed for 16 months for sexually assaulting vulnerable woman in Scarborough

Police in Scarborough have brought a man to justice for a sexual assault on a vulnerable woman.

Muhamed Enwar Fadhlallah, 19, of Queen Street, Scarborough, was found guilty of the offence at the conclusion of a trial at York Crown Court on 8 April 2025.

Today (Thursday 8 May 2025), he was sentenced to 16 months’ imprisonment and placed on the Register of Sex Offenders for five years.

The sexual assault on a local woman aged in her 40s happened in Scarborough town centre at around 2.35am on Sunday 26 November 2023.

It was witnessed and filmed by a council CCTV operator who had spotted Fadhlallah loitering watching groups of women.

The victim had been drinking and was lying on the ground.

Despite the woman’s friend saying they did not need any help when Fadhlallah approached them, he picked the victim up before cuddling and stroking her.

The CCTV operator gave evidence stating that the defendant was seen to be touching the woman’s breasts over her clothing in a deliberate manner on more than one occasion.

Police officers were alerted to the scene and were able to carry out a rapid review of the CCTV footage of the incident.

Fadhlallah was arrested, taken into custody for questioning, and later released on conditional bail while enquiries continued.

He denied sexually assaulting the woman.

At the trial, Fadhlallah was found not guilty of raping another woman at the cemetery on Dean Road just before 2am on Saturday 20 July 2024.

Detective Sergeant Michele Fawcett, from the Major Investigation Team, said: “The quick-thinking actions of the CCTV operator and the attending police officers were crucial in identifying Fadhlallah as the suspect of the sexual assault.

“He has been proved to be a dangerous predator who sought out a vulnerable woman for his own sexual gratification. 

“The victim has been incredibly brave to support the prosecution of this dangerous man.”

Reporting rape and sexual abuse

• Make a report via our website or call 101 and speak to the Force Control Room.
• If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, always dial 999 for an emergency response.
• IDAS is an independent charity that supports victims of sexual violence and abuse regardless of whether you have reported it to the police.  Sexual Violence Help and Advice   

https://sexualviolence.idas.org.uk/

• Anyone concerned about a child can contact the NSPCC Helpline for advice on 0808 800 5000. Adult victims of non-recent sexual abuse can also get in touch for support.
• Childline is available for young people on 0800 1111or at Childline | Childline  https://www.childline.org.uk/
• Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) Victims who would prefer not to go direct to the police and are not in immediate danger, can contact North Yorkshire’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), on 0330 223 0362.
• You can also contact the Supporting Victims in North Yorkshire at supportingvictims.org or call 01609 643100.