Man cleared of sexual assault in Forest Gate

A dad-of-ten who was accused of sexually assaulting a woman in Forest Gate has been cleared.

Dhikri Mubarak, 36, of no fixed abode, was on trial at Stratford Magistrates’ Court yesterday after being accused of intentionally grabbing the bottom of a woman as she walked home along Romford Road at about 5pm on July 18.

He was cleared after Deputy District Judge Paul Booty ruled that there were discrepancies in the victim’s account.

During the trial, the victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said she felt “violated” following the incident.

She told the court that she was on the phone to her friend when a man came close behind her. Shortly after she turned around to see who it was, he grabbed her before walking off.

The 34-year-old victim, who lives in Forest Gate, said: “He grabbed it so hard that I screamed to my friend ‘someone’s grabbed my bottom’.”

She added: “I felt violated, I felt dirty that this man could do this to me. Why would he pick me?”

Following the incident, the victim decided to follow the suspect along the busy road but, after being unable to find any help, she called the police before approaching two officers in a chip shop, who later arrested Mr Mubarak.

After being cleared of the crime Mr Mubarak stood up to tell the court that he sympathised with the victim.