Iranian asylum seeker, 23, who fled from custody during medical appointment after trying to sexually assault two teenage girls at bus stops is jailed for just two years

An Iranian asylum seeker who escaped custody during a medical appointment after molesting two teenage girls has been sentenced to just two years behind bars. Pirouz Mofrad, 23, lied about his age and attempted to sexually assault two girls, then aged 14 and 15, in separate incidents in Southampton in 2023 and 2024. He was sentenced at Southampton Crown Court for two counts of attempted sexual assault this week after being found guilty at the same court last month. The court heard Mofrad grabbed one girl at a bus stop and told her he 'just wanted to touch her', and tried to grab the other while saying the word 'coochie'. The incidents were reported and Mofrad was taken into custody and remanded to HMP Wandsworth with a Sexual Risk Order.However, he was soon transferred to a mental health facility in Bexhill, East Sussex, with a provisional diagnosis of schizophrenia.Mofrad was captured on CCTV escaping the facility on November 5, 2025 and remained missing overnight before being captured the next day.One victim told the court she had tried to end her life after the attack and remained 'scared and worried' that Mofrad could target others. Iranian asylum seeker Pirouz Mofrad, 23, lied about his age and attempted to sexually assault two girls, then aged 14 and 15, in separate incidents in Southampton in 2023 and 2024The Iranian national had been 'staring' at the 15-year-old and her friend at a bus stop in the Southampton city centre prior to the incident in December 2023. Mofrad approached the girls and grabbed the victim's arm, before attempting to grab her bottom despite her pleas that she was 'too young'. The asylum seeker told the teenager he 'just wanted to touch her' while gesturing towards his own chest and genitals.The court previously heard she felt 'dirty' from the incident and vomited on the way home due to nerves. His attempts during the incident left marks in her fake tan.The 15-year-old said that after the attack she has 'felt anxiety, sadness, anger and fear' and even tried to 'end her life'.She told the court: 'The incident has had a substantial and lasting impact on my emotional wellbeing. The effects have stayed with me long after it happened.'I have found myself thinking about what happened when I don't want to. I feel like I'm reliving what happened.'There have been times that I have just wanted it to stop. At my lowest points I have tried to end my life. This is something I never thought I would experience. Mofrad was captured on CCTV escaping a mental health facility on November 5, 2025 and remained missing overnight before being captured the next day'I just wanted to make the pain stop. I have felt anxiety, sadness, anger and fear. It has affected the way I see other people.'There are times I question myself and wonder if I could have done something differently even though I know it's not my fault.'Her mother previously told the court her daughter was 'shaky' and 'panicky' when she got home, and was so anxious that night that she 'physically vomited'.The girl also told her mum 'how scared she was to go out again'.The second victim, then aged 14, was also in the city centre with friends when Mofrad approached the group and tried to grab her in February 2024.She told the court he had 'creeped them out' with his behaviour and had said words like 'coochie', a crude slang term for a woman's genitalia. While in custody, Mofrad lied to police that he was a teenager still at 'school' - despite giving a date of birth which showed his accurate age of 20 years old.After being shown footage taken by one of his victims, he told police that 'since he had come to the UK two years previously, he had had problems with his memory'.Mofrad later accepted that he was at the scene of both the incidents, but denied trying to touch the girls in any way.Sentencing the asylum seeker, Judge Nicholas Rowland said: 'Pirouz Mofrad, I have to sentence you for two offences for attempted sexual assaults of what were then 14 and 15 year old girls.'These were similar offences against teenage girls who were entitled to feel safe with their friends in the busy city centre and not be accosted by you.'One was 15, with a friend and it was dark. You were staring at them at the bus stop.'Her friend was sufficiently worried to move the victim, but you grabbed her arm and then tried to grab her bottom.'She said she was too young and you said you just wanted to touch her.'You signalled on your body to your breasts and genitals. You circled them as they waited for the bus.'He continued: 'The other victim, who was 14, was with friends who were creeped out by your behaviour. You tried to grab her while saying words like 'coochie'.'The first victim said she was scared and worried you might do it for others. She felt that way for a year and couldn't stand close to people.'She felt sick for months thinking about you. She overdosed shortly after the incident on medication for anxiety and depression.'Her mother said her mental health had regressed and her school performance severely impacted.'She has told me in court about the lasting emotional impact this has had on her wellbeing. She has tried to take her life.'She has experienced anxiety, sadness, anger and fear. 'She has said to her credit that she did not want this to define her, and I think we can see from these proceedings that they will not.'Mofrad was convicted by a jury at Lewes Crown Court of escaping from lawful custody on May 1, 2026.He also has two prior convictions of criminal damage.For confidential support, call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch. See www.samaritans.org for details.