Ten year extended sentence for Cardiff man convicted of sexual assault
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Ashmeet Soni, 28, from Cardiff, has been given an 10-year extended sentence after being found guilty of sexual assaulting three women.
Soni attacked the women in three different streets in the Roath area of Cardiff on June 27, July 4 and July 5 last year.
One of the women was with her young children when the incident happened.
Detective Constable Gemma Richards from South Wales Police, said: “Stranger attacks such as these are extremely unusual in Cardiff but in Ashmeet Soni we had an extremely dangerous individual.
“Everyone has the right to feel safe as they walk around our city and when incidents like this happen we do everything possible to catch those responsible.”
Detectives were investigating two sexual assaults from June 27, and July 4 when, at around 5pm on Monday, July 5, a 999 call was received about a third sexual assault in Newport Road.
The description of the suspect and the nature of the offence matched the previous incidents.
Officers flooded the area and, using a photograph bravely taken by the victim on her mobile phone, were able to identify the suspect and Soni was arrested within an hour.
Followed his arrest, a thorough and extensive investigation, which included plotting his movements on CCTV, was carried out to ensure he could be brought to justice.
He denied all offences but, following a week-long trial at Cardiff Crown Court, in November 2021 he was convicted of 7 sexual assaults and 1 sexual assault by penetration.
Soni was back in court for sentencing yesterday.
DC Richards added: “The impact on the three women has been devastating and they have been extremely brave throughout this ordeal.
“We hope this significant prison sentence brings some sense of closure and allows them to regain their confidence.”
This investigation reflects our commitment to protecting women from violence, and to keeping our capital safe.
Tackling violence and abuse against women and girls is a long-standing priority for South Wales Police and we recognise that concern regarding personal safety and violence is as great as it has ever been.
- We encourage people to come forward to report incidents to us Contact us | South Wales Police (south-wales.police.uk)
- Read more on a new all-Wales taskforce taking action on violence against women and girls