Spontaneous sexual assault on a 79 year old woman.

Sentence Review for Sexual Assault Case

A 31-year-old man, Asadul Karim, has had his jail sentence for sexual assault referred to the Attorney General for review under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme. Karim was sentenced to nine months in prison at Burnley Crown Court after being convicted at trial.

The incident occurred on May 28, 2021, when Karim, who was intoxicated, knocked on the door of a 79-year-old woman's house in Burnley and sexually assaulted her upon entering.

Following a public request for a review, the Attorney General, Victoria Prentis, is now considering whether Karim's sentence was unduly lenient. If deemed so, the case will be sent to the Court of Appeal for potential extension of his prison term.

The Court of Appeal, comprised of the most senior judges, will ultimately decide whether Karim's sentence should be increased, remain the same, or be rejected for review. Even if the case proceeds to the Court of Appeal, a change in the sentence is not guaranteed.

A decision on the sentence review will be made in due course.