Judge dismisses sex attacker’s appeal

Basam Ali Mohammed Naji (26) made his victim submit to his demand while he was “under the influence of cocaine and alcohol”, London’s Appeal Court heard.

Naji, of Town Street, Rotherham, was jailed for ten years at Sheffield Crown Court in October last year after being convicted of assault by penetration.

At the Appeal Court, Lady Justice Macur heard him argue the jury’s verdict should be overturned.

Naji said that DNA linking him to the victim must have got onto him after he accidentally brushed her clothes with his hand.

The fairness of his trial was undermined because jurors were allowed to see normally secret communications between Naji and his solicitor, he claimed.

Naji himself had given permission for the material to go before the jury, in a bid to explain why he had chosen to give a “no comment” interview to police.

But he criticised the way the information was handled during the trial.

Lady Justice Macur threw out the appeal, saying: “The judge’s direction to the jury was adequate and this application fails.”