Shop worker in sex assault on customer

A MAN working in his father's corner shop has been sentenced after sexually assaulting a customer while on shift.

- HOLLY MORGAN

Harrhys Rafiq, 26, of Water Avens Close, St Mellons, Cardiff, was working at a Premier Stores shop in the city when he sexually assaulted a customer by touching her inappropriately.

This involved an aroused Rafiq pressing his groin against the customer, who said she had been suffering with mental health issues ever since.

Prosecutor Bethan Evans told Cardiff Crown Court that a woman entered Shad's Bishopston Premier Stores in Bishopston Road in Cardiff in January of this year, and was sexually assaulted by the shop owner's son, Harrhys Rafiq, who was working in the store that day.

Rafiq pleaded guilty to the offence of sexual assault and was sentenced on October 23.

In CCTV footage shown to the court, Rafiq was seen to walk over to the victim and press himself against her. She was seen to pull away before starting a dispute with him.

Ms Evans said Rafiq pressed himself against the victim's body and laughed when challenged by her.