Judge brands sex assault victim ‘foolish’ for getting drunk, leaving herself open to attack

A TOP judge has labelled a drunken woman who was sexually assaulted and almost kidnapped “foolish” for drinking so much she left herself open to attack.

The 20-year-old woman was pounced on by teenager Yaqoob Alanezy who put his arms around her, kissed her and then dragged her 30 yards down a street in south Manchester.

Sentencing Alanezy, Mr Justice Gilbart said there was no excuse for the attack but people had to take responsibility for their safety when on nights out.

The High Court judge said the victim only had a “befuddled recollection of events” adding: “I’m sure it was a frightening incident.

“She got very, very drunk. It doesn’t excuse what happened, but people have to make sure they protect themselves and guard against this – she made herself very vulnerable.

“The law seeks to protect victims such as this from their own foolishness.

“(The complainant) had got herself drunk, was in a public place, unable to protect herself and the law must be seen to protect vulnerable people from being picked on by those who spot their vulnerability and choose to attack them.”

Alanezy, 18, attacked the woman after their paths crossed in the Victoria Park area of south Manchester, in the early hours of August 20.

He dragged her down the street before they both fell to the floor.

The incident was stopped by a passer-by who saw the victim trying to push Alanezy off her as he lay on top of her.

Alanezy later pleaded guilty to sexual assault and kidnap – relating to the period where he dragged the woman along the road – at Manchester Crown Court .