Oxford University law student jailed for punching woman in nightclub

Avatar photo

By Thomas Connelly on

A 20 year-old Oxford law student gets nine-months’ porridge after conviction for “sustained assault” on a young woman that left her with a broken nose

oxford

A second-year law student’s place at Oxford University hangs in the balance after he was jailed for nine months last Friday following a conviction for an assault resulting in actual bodily harm.

Abdulrahman Abdelsalam attacked a fellow student in Oxford’s Plush nightclub last year, leaving her with a broken nose.

According to online newspaper the Oxford Mail, the jury heard that Abdelsalam — who had been a star schoolboy prior to attending the elite university — became “very aggressive” after the female victim poured a drink over his head.

According to the Oxford Mail, in sentencing Abdelsalam, Judge Ian Pringle said:

You turned to her, becoming very aggressive, and said to her ‘I’m going to **** you up’. She was terrified but had no time in which to move in order to prevent you from punching her full in face

Pringle continued:

It dropped her to the ground and when she got up you continued to hit her on her face.

The victim — fellow student Jeanne Marie Ryan — posted a “no makeup selfie” on her Facebook page after the attack showing the full extent of injuries to her face. Ryan — who was forced to put her studies on hold as a result of the attack — has since raised almost £17,000 for the Oxford Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Centre after the selfie went viral.

Representing Abdelsalam, barrister Toby Long, from Noble Solicitors in Wembley north-west London, made submissions for a community sentence, claiming the law student had behaved out of character and deeply regretted his actions.

Rejecting that appeal for leniency, Judge Pringle said:

I would be failing in my duty if I were to not pass a sentence today of imprisonment.

Abdelsalam, who lives in Colindale, north London, was acquitted of sexual assault.

A spokesperson for Oxford University told Legal Cheek:

The university regards violent behaviour as unacceptable. Any student convicted of an offence carrying a possible custodial sentence is automatically referred to the university proctors.

Previously:

Oxford University law student guilty of serious assault on woman in local nightclub [Legal Cheek]