Iranian asylum seeker jailed 11 years for attempted rape after 'micropenis' defence rejected
Hossein Mohmoudi, 35, stalked a woman for an hour after her Christmas party before attacking her in a London alleyway. His defence that a micropenis made assault impossible was dismissed by the court.
Iranian asylum seeker sentenced to 11 years after 'micropenis' defence fails at Snaresbrook Crown Court
An Iranian asylum seeker has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for the attempted rape of a woman in a London alleyway, after a jury rejected his claim that a "micropenis" and obesity made the attack physically impossible.
Hossein Mohmoudi, 35, was found guilty at Snaresbrook Crown Court in June following a trial in which his defence counsel argued several medical factors precluded him from committing the assault. The Daily Express reports that consultant urologist Dr George Fowlis told the court Mohmoudi's penis was, in fact, "normal".
Mohmoudi had been living in an asylum hostel in London at the time of the 2024 attack. He followed his victim for approximately an hour after she left a Christmas party, mirroring her movements — crossing the road when she did and boarding the same bus — before tracking her for around three miles in total.
He then attacked the woman in an alleyway before a passing cyclist intervened and alerted the Metropolitan Police. Officers arrived quickly, and detectives subsequently spent 30 hours reviewing CCTV footage to identify Mohmoudi. He was arrested at his home address two days after the incident.
During the trial, the jury heard Mohmoudi acknowledge browsing a fetish website the day before the attack. He claimed it was "helpful for my English language." Prosecutor Christiaan Moll responded: "There are other ways to improve your English."
Defence barrister David Harounoff contended the assault lasted only 27 seconds, arguing that was insufficient time to constitute an attempted rape given his client's alleged conditions. The jury was unconvinced.
It also emerged that Mohmoudi had previously been reported to police for stalking a woman while she was walking her dog.
Mohmoudi left Iran in 2014 and travelled illegally through Turkey, Greece, Germany and France before arriving in the United Kingdom. During his time in Germany, he accumulated five criminal convictions — two for assault and three for criminal damage — before seeking asylum in Britain.
Detective Inspector Thomas Meaden, who led the Metropolitan Police investigation, said the victim had "shown great strength throughout what has been an extremely hard experience."
"Mohmoudi is a predator who poses a danger to any women and girls he may cross," Meaden said. "Had he not been interrupted by a brave member of the public, he intended to commit further harm."
Meaden also praised the cyclist who intervened: "I would like to thank the person who intervened and supported the victim ahead of officers arriving, and to commend all involved for their diligent work."
Source: Daily Express