Greater Manchester’s interim mayor has slammed a judge who labelled a sex assault victim ‘foolish’ for drinking so much she left herself vulnerable.
Tony Lloyd had condemned the comments made by Mr Justice Gilbart to teenager Yaqoob Alanezy as sentenced him for attacking the 20-year-old woman in south Manchester.
The court judge there was no excuse for the attack, but people had to take responsibility for their safety when on nights out.
Mr Lloyd had dubbed those comments ‘deplorable’.
Mr Justice Gilbart said the victim only had a ‘befuddled recollection of events’ adding: “I’m sure it was a frightening incident. She got very, very drunk.
“It doesn’t excuse what happened, but people have to make sure they protect themselves and guard against this - she made herself very vulnerable.
“The law seeks to protect victims such as this from their own foolishness.
“(The complainant) had got herself drunk, was in a public place, unable to protect herself and the law must be seen to protect vulnerable people from being picked on by those who spot their vulnerability and choose to attack them.”
Mr Lloyd, blasting Mr Justice Gilbart, said: “These comments are deplorable, unhelpful and unfair. It is never the victim’s fault when someone is sexually assaulted – that always lies with the attacker, with no exceptions.
“If we are to ensure that victims of sexual assault have the confidence to come forward without fear of being blamed for what has happened to them, then the entire criminal justice system needs to put the victim first – and that includes judges.
“I do not want any victim of crime to be discouraged from coming forward, but injudicious words create the very real danger of just doing that.”
Alanezy, 18, attacked the woman after their paths crossed at Anson Road, in the Victoria Park area of south Manchester, in the early hours of August 20.
He dragged her down the street before they both fell to the floor.
The incident was stopped by a passer-by who saw the victim trying to push Alanezy off her as he lay on top of her in the street.
Alanezy later pleaded guilty to sexual assault and kidnap - relating to the period where he dragged the woman along the road - at Manchester Crown Court .
He has now been given 22 months in a young offenders institution.
