Ali Rashid, 44, from Cardiff, has been banned from every swimming pool, hot tub and sauna in Britain after pleading guilty to sexual assault, WalesOnline reported.
The judge at Cardiff Crown Court said that Rashid, 44, is only permitted to visit a swimming pool during men-only sessions, and must not enter any public or private facility that women have access to.
Rashid, originally from Syria, was also given an eight-month suspended jail term. He admitted to sexually assaulting a woman at the Mercure Cardiff Holland House hotel in January last year.
After realizing that his advances on his target were unwanted, Rashid told her: “Don’t be angry, I touch and kiss you because I feel comfortable with you.”
The victim told hotel staff about the attack and they contacted police. Judge Niclas Parry said the offense was “serious” and involved a breach of trust.
The judge told Rashid: “The public trust people to behave themselves in public amenities such as swimming pools, Jacuzzis and saunas. People must feel that they’re safe to mingle with strangers because that is what they do at these places. You violated this lady’s privacy and her dignity, you were persistent and she felt trapped.”
Praising the victim, the judge concluded: “It’s to her credit that she dealt with this matter with some fortitude and her evidence leads me to conclude that she reported this matter not for herself but to try and protect other people.”
So reminiscent of Israel’s experiences with Syria…