ALIMZADA: FILM PREMIERE PERVERT BEHIND BARS

A sex-pest who groped a tourist at the premiere of a star-studded film is behind bars today (Thurs).

Nazar Alimzada, 45, targeted the 21-year-old as she stood outside a cinema in London’s West End.

He thrust his groin against her back and her bottom and then placed his hand on her backside in what was described as a ‘frightening and belittling’ experience, Southwark Crown Court heard.

The victim had been visiting from Scotland and had gone to Leicester Square for the premiere of the movie Burlesque, starring Cher and Christina Aguilera.

Alimzada was caught by undercover officers who were among the crowds and had watched his odd behaviour.

He was convicted of sexual assault by a jury and remanded in custody ahead of a sentencing hearing next month.

Prosecutor Allister Walker said the victim and a friend, had been in Leicester Square at around 6.30pm on December 13, 2010, for the premiere.

‘They were hoping to see Cher on the red carpet,’ he said.

‘They were 10 to 15 metres from the entrance when the victim became aware of a male behind her pressing his chest up against her back and his groin against her bottom.

‘She describes him thrusting towards her eight or nine times.

‘She broke free of him from time to time and looked at him but almost immediately after he came back up against her.

‘He then reached out and stroked her bottom.

‘She was upset and wanted to cry.’

Mr Walker said the woman’s ordeal only came to an end when an undercover police officer who had spotted Alimzada ‘staring at women in the crowd’ saw him pressing against her.

Giving evidence from behind a screen the victim told jurors: ‘I was there to enjoy the premiere.

‘I was too scared to say anything to him.

‘When I said to my friend that something was not quite right that’s when the undercover police officer tapped me on the shoulder and told me what he had seen.’

Alimzada, of (4) The Heathway, The Common, Southall, Middlesex, denied sexual assault claiming any contact had been accidental.

He is due to be sentenced on September 22.

ENDS