An Afghan asylum seeker who sexually assaulted a woman he had coffee with was given a community order.

Fared Amire, now 25, was working in a street food stall in Watford town centre when he met the victim, who worked nearby.

After exchanging numbers with the victim they exchanged friendly text messages.

On February 8, 2019, the two met – with Amire using the name ‘Peter’ – for a coffee on her lunch break.

READ ALSO: Stall vendor found guilty of sexual assault after luring woman to his room

After they finished, the stall worker asked if he could join the victim in looking around some shops but said he needed to collect something from his home first.

In the flat he pulled her down and bit her lip and sucked her face, said prosecutor Louis Mahel.

Watford Observer: Fared Amire was a food stall vendorFared Amire was a food stall vendor

The woman was seen on CCTV running away through the town centre.

In a victim personal statement, the woman said she has quit her job and does not now feel safe going into Watford.

Amire, of Queens Road, was convicted by the jury of one count of sexual assault on a female following a retrial at St Albans Crown Court after the first jury could not agree. He was found not guilty of two charges of sexual assault - one alleging he touched her breast and the other of kissing her.

Defending, Andrew Campbell said: “He is 25 and of previous good character.

“He is an asylum seeker who has been here since 2016. His application to remain will now proceed.

“He has no money and is not allowed to work. He gets his accommodation for free and helps on the market stall.”

Watford Observer: The victim says she no longer feels safe in WatfordThe victim says she no longer feels safe in Watford

Judge Michael Kay QC sentenced Amire to an 18-month community order with a condition that he completes 200 hours’ unpaid work. He must attend 30 days rehabilitation and register as a sex offender for five years.

The judge also made a restraining order banning him from contacting the victim for three years.

Detective Constable Marius Edghill said: “The victim trusted Amire and had no reason to expect anything untoward might happen.

“This is all on Amire – quite simply, he saw an opportunity to exploit the situation for his own sexual gain and he took it.”

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