Judge confirms city sex attacker’s jail term

A SEXUAL “predator” who lay in wait to launch a “terrifying” attack on a young student deserved every day of his four-year jail term, a judge has ruled.

Weldegabril Teklu, 32, of Pen-Y-Wain Road, Roath, Cardiff, was jailed at Cardiff Crown Court on March 17.

Originally from Eritrea, he was convicted of sexual assault, Mrs Justice Simler told London’s Appeal Court yesterday.

A student in her 20s was en route home in Cardiff last year when she walked past a wall on which Teklu was sitting.

He offered her a cigarette and they exchanged names – but she moved away after he asked if there was any CCTV in the area.

Teklu then began walking alongside her and asking to exchange phone numbers, said the judge.

She took his number to get rid off him, but he persisted and put his arm around her.

He went on to kiss her, grope and molest her, the court heard.

Defending himself in court, Teklu “cast aspersions” on the victim and claimed she was the “instigator”.

But it was “plain that Teklu was the predator”, said the judge who jailed him.

Lawrence Jones, for Teklu, claimed the Crown Court judge “simply imposed a sentence which was too long”.

He should have been given more credit for his previous good character, the barrister argued.

But Mrs Justice Simler said he was “lying in wait in a position which was perfectly designed to prey on lone young women”.

“Preying on lone young women, particularly in university towns, on their way home from a night out, is a serious problem,” she added.

“The judge no doubt had that well in mind when concluding she was vulnerable.

“It must have been terrifying. She must have been in considerable fear she would be raped.

“We can see no basis for interfering with this sentence,” concluded the judge, who was sitting with Mr Justice HaddonCave.