A 24-year-old man, Abdul Barkeeh Salihi, has been fined £400 for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl during a Harry Potter-themed tour at Leadenhall Market in the City of London. The incident occurred when Salihi groped the girl’s bottom while she was visiting the filming location of Diagon Alley with her family.
Following the assault, the girl’s family confronted Salihi at Rocca restaurant in Leadenhall Market, where he threw a chair through a window during the altercation. Prior to this incident, Salihi had also slapped the bottom of a 42-year-old woman on Lombard Street earlier that day.
Salihi, an Afghan national, pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault and criminal damage. He was fined £400, along with a £160 victim surcharge, and will be placed on the sex offenders register for the next five years. Detective Constable Natalie Schofield from City of London Police described the assaults as distressing and commended the victims for their bravery in coming forward.
Leadenhall Market, known for its historical significance dating back to the 14th century and its association with the Harry Potter films, was the backdrop for the incidents involving Salihi. The first assault took place at around 3:30 pm when Salihi followed and groped a woman walking along the road. Later the same day, he touched the 14-year-old girl’s bottom, prompting the confrontation at Rocca restaurant.
Salihi’s disruptive behavior continued as he refused to leave the restaurant, leading to him throwing chairs through a window before being detained by the public until police arrived. Judge Ian Darling sentenced Salihi on July 13 after he pleaded guilty to the charges of sexual assault and criminal damage.
