[ad_1]
A failed asylum seeker drugged and sexually assaulted a vulnerable 14-year-old girl after the Home Office “failed to” deport him.
Sam Sharma, 34, carried out the horrific abuse on her more than a year after completing a 14-month prison sentence for spitting, urinating and hurling racist abuse at police officers, as well as threatening to rape family members of officers.
But instead of being deported after his release from prison, the Indian clandestine immigrant was allowed to roam free despite the authorities having the power to deport him “if they wanted”.
Perth Sheriff Court was told that Sharma avoided being sent home because the Home Office was “probably not right”.
Sheriff Alison McKay has now jailed Sharma for three years after a jury found him guilty of drugging and sexually assaulting a child in Dundee on May 26 last year.
Failed asylum seeker Sam Sharma, 34, drugged and sexually assaulted a vulnerable 14-year-old girl after the Home Office “failed to” deport him.
Indian illegal immigrant allowed to roam free despite authorities having power to deport him ‘if they wanted’
She said: “If he doesn’t have a UK passport and it’s true that he applied for asylum and was refused, then Mr Sharma will be known. They can already deport Mr Sharma if they want to.
“I think you are already in the face of the Home Office and they will decide whether you will be deported or not.”
Lawyer Neil Beardmore, defending, told the court: “There was a history of him making applications and those being rejected. He originated from India.
“He doesn’t have a British passport. He applied for asylum and is a failed asylum seeker. You can expect them to deport him at the conclusion of his sentence.
“You have to ask why – after his last prison – the Ministry of the Interior did not deal? Probably they are not right.
Former shop assistant Sharma sexually abused minor in Dundee after supplying cannabis. He was also found guilty of supplying cannabis.
Jurors convicted Sharma of sexually abusing the girl, then 14, in May 2023 at an address in Dundee’s West End.
He was also found guilty of being concerned in the supply of cannabis to the girl and another woman on the same date.
Sharma, who had worked at a convenience store in Monifieth, was subject to three bail orders at the time of the offence.
A not proven verdict was returned on the charge of sexually assaulting another woman while she was sleeping.
Perth Sheriff Court (pictured) was told Sharma avoided being sent home because the Home Office “probably isn’t right”.
Sheriff McKay said: “In relation to the sexual conduct towards the girl, I take the view that she was a particularly vulnerable young woman.”
As well as sending Sharma to prison for 36 months, he added his details to the Sex Offenders Register for life.
Mr Beardmore said: “In custody he experienced racial abuse. A complaint has been made to the prison governor.
On 7 January 2022, Sharma was jailed for 14 months and Dundee Sheriff Court was told he was already in line for deportation at that stage.
Sharma spat and urinated on the police and hurled racist abuse while threatening to rape and kill the officers’ family members.
Sharma hurled abuse at an official calling him a “freshie” and implied that he was “fresh off the boat”. She was left with her arm deformed as a result of multiple breaks during the scuffle with the police.
Sharma admitted attacking PC Shogun Hangetsu by spitting on him as well as shouting, swearing and urinating on police on September 3, 2021.
He also admitted making racist comments to the officer and making sexual remarks and issuing threats to police and their families.
Fiscal depute Lora Apostolova told Dundee Sheriff Court: “He is believed to be an Indian alien and deportation is a live issue.
‘The police had reason to visit. He appeared under the influence and was behaving in an erratic manner. He claimed he was of Indian descent and referred to PC Hangetsu as a Paki bastard.
“He called him freshie, which means fresh off the boat, and a common insult to ethnic minorities. He was warned about his behavior, but he continues to be aggressive.
Sharma said, “I’m going to get a gun and shoot your mother. I’m going to find your sister and shoot your mother. I’m going to find you on the street and stab you.
‘F*** you and I’ll put my big bitch inside you. Don’t f*** me off. Wanna suck my bitch, freshie? I’m going to kill your family. I am a big man.
Sharma ran to the back of the police van and spat at the officer before urinating through a gap in the door of the police vehicle. The officers were forced to take a step back to avoid being “sprayed”.
Lawyer Gary McIlravey, defending, said: “He has little recollection of events. He admits to drinking but not a particularly large amount.
“It is at a loss to explain his behavior. He is very embarrassed and appalled by his behavior and wishes to extend his apologies to all concerned.
“This was best described as unpleasant and completely unpleasant. At some point during the course of the incident, his lower left arm was broken in several places.
“His inappropriate behavior was dealt with summarily. His arm will remain in a less than straight position for the rest of his life.
Sheriff Alistair Carmichael said: “You spat at police officers which is unacceptable. You made threats against them and their families, including shooting and stabbing.’