A WOKINGHAM man has been convicted of sexual assault following an incident in Reading last year.
Forid Khil, aged 28 and of Mill Lane, Wokingham, has been found guilty of two counts of sexual assault and a further count of stalking.
The six-day trial at Reading Crown Court concluded on Monday, February 5, when the a unanimous jury gave a guilty verdict.
Khil is now due to be sentenced on Monday, March 18 at the same court.
It follows an incident where, at around 9.20pm on January 15 last year, Khil approached the victim while she was walking along Reading Bridge alone.
Khil blocked her way with a bike he was using for food deliveries and began asking her personal questions.
He also demanded the victim’s mobile phone number repeatedly until she gave in, but then proceeded to continue to walk with her.
Khil then sexually assaulted the victim by feigning a handshake, during which he pulled her towards him and kissed her.
Khil continued to call and message the victim multiple times for two weeks until she reported the incident to police.
A second incident happened at some point between February and July last year, during which Khil befriended the victim by bringing her free food from his delivery work.
He invited himself into the victim’s home, but she told him that she did not want to see him again as a result of his behaviour.
He began to visit her address daily, knocking on windows and doors, as well as sending repeated messages demanding to be let in.
The victim refused and threatened to call the police.
A third incident took place on June 30 last year, when another victim ordered food through a delivery app.
At around 11.15am that day, Khil visited the victim’s house to deliver the order, when he began asking invasive questions.
Again he began to demand the victim’s phone number and demanded to kiss her, which the victim denied.
Khil then placed his foot in the way of the door and attempted to push into her home before touching the victim over her clothing.
He was arrested on August 3 last year and charged the following day.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Anaïs Banneville, part of the Priority Crime Team based at Reading police station, said: “I would like to thank the victims for coming forward and supporting our investigation and their bravery should be recognised.
“Khil’s behaviour was extremely predatory and was clearly escalating, targeting lone, vulnerable women and exploiting his delivery driver status to carry out offences.
“I hope this conviction goes some way in giving victims the confidence to come forward to the police to report such offences.
“Thames Valley Police is dedicated to tackling violence against women and girls by identifying and pursuing those who commit these crimes.
“For victims of sexual assault, coming forward and reporting it is incredibly hard, but we urge anyone who has been subjected to these terrible crimes, to speak up. We will believe you and support you throughout the process.
“You can contact us via our website, by calling 101, or by visiting a police station.”
