A man who sexually assaulted a woman as she slept on a long-haul flight to Gatwick Airport has been jailed following a police investigation and trial.
Momade Jussab, 66, from Swinfield Close, Feltham, was sentenced at Lewes Crown Court on Sunday, May 12, after being found guilty of one count of sexual assault by penetration and two counts of sexual assault.
The court heard how the horrifying incident unfolded on a flight from Doha, Qatar, to Gatwick on September 28 last year. The victim, a woman in her 20s who had never met Jussab before, awoke during the flight to discover he was sexually assaulting her.
Upon arrival at Gatwick, the victim courageously reported the incident to Sussex Police. She has since been supported by specially trained officers throughout the investigation.
Jussab was later arrested and charged. Following a trial in March, he was found guilty on all counts. He was handed a six-and-a-half-year extended sentence, meaning he must serve at least two-thirds in custody before becoming eligible for parole.
He has also been placed on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely.
The victim described the long-lasting trauma caused by the attack, stating:
“It has felt so hard and so traumatising to think that anyone would ever want to do that to me. The shock and disbelief at what I have experienced will never go away and I will never understand how or why anyone would do that to a person.”
Detective Inspector Darren Taylor, of the Safeguarding Investigations Unit, said:
“This was a shocking case and a crime which has a long-term impact on the victim and other victims like her. The victim showed immense bravery in coming forward, and we are pleased that a dangerous offender is now behind bars.”
Police continue to encourage any victims of sexual offences to come forward, stressing that they will be supported and taken seriously.
