Sexually assaulting a female hairdresser.

Southampton Man Jailed for Sexual Assault and String of Thefts

Rashpal Sanghera, 36, from Southampton, has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for sexually assaulting a female hairdresser and a series of thefts.

Southampton Crown Court heard that Sanghera, while having his beard trimmed, sexually assaulted the hairdresser. He chased her around the barbershop and when he forced himself on her, she defended herself with a rolled-up magazine. He stopped the assault but issued a threat, telling the victim, "Watch out what happens to you."

Robert Welling, prosecuting, said the woman was alone at the time and left terrified and distressed by the ordeal.

In September 2019, Sanghera was arrested and released under investigation. On October 18, 2019, he was pulled over while driving his BMW on The Avenue. A drug test revealed traces of cocaine and benzoylecgonine, a breakdown product of cocaine, in his system.

Sanghera, who has 29 previous convictions, went on to steal a charity tin from Sams Chicken Takeaway in Shirley High Street on January 17, 2020. On January 27, he stole another charity tin from Moby Dick fish and chip shop in Church Street, Shirley.

Sanghera was later found in possession of a stolen bank card belonging to a student. He used it to pay off £770.21 of drug debts across Southampton, Eastleigh, and Winchester.

On February 1, Sanghera stole four scratch cards from the McColls store in Bedford Place. Just days later, on February 7, he and a friend stole four bottles of alcohol worth £115 from Sainsbury's in Leigh Road, Eastleigh.

Sanghera failed to appear in court for the sexual assault offence but was found guilty in his absence on March 16. He was finally arrested on March 24, 2020.

On March 25, he pleaded guilty to three counts of theft, one fraud, one burglary, and one count of driving under the influence of drugs.

Chris Gager, defending, argued that Sanghera intended to change but was caught in a vicious cycle of drug abuse.

Sanghera was sentenced to 30 months in prison, of which he will serve half. As he was being sentenced, he repeatedly abused Judge Christopher Parker. He was also disqualified from driving for two years, starting upon his release.

In 2015, Sanghera was accused of robbing a sex worker in her own home. The victim was at home when three men broke in, one of whom held a knife to her throat before stealing £100 and identity documents. Sanghera was arrested and interviewed by police. He admitted going to her flat, claiming he wanted to have sex with the victim, but denied being involved in any robbery.

After hearing evidence from defense witnesses, the jury found him not guilty.