Deportation recommended after sex-demanding attacker jailed

A Tunisian man, who sexually assaulted five women on the streets of St Helier, has been jailed for nine years, with deportation recommended upon the completion of his sentence.

Care assistant, Abdelkarim Arfaoui (27), was found guilty of ten offences after a trial earlier this year.

Those offences include attempted rape, grave and criminal assault, and five counts of sexually touching without consent. 

He committed the crimes over a 90-minute period early on a Sunday morning in November 2025.

His first victim, who he rugby tackled to the ground, told the court she thought he was going to kill her.

At sentencing, another of his victims bravely spoke in Jersey's Royal Court about how she's been affected by what Arfaoui did to her.

She said, on what should have been an ordinary morning, the attack forced her to relive her childhood, having spent a long time rebuilding her life after devastating abuse.

The victim, who has an automatic right to anonymity, said:

"With one selfish decision, he took me back to a place I have spent years trying to leave.

"It didn’t just hurt the woman who I am today, it hurt the little girl inside me that had already suffered.

"I have been forced to live the pain and trauma all over again."

Crown Advocate Lauren Hallam told the court how Arfaoui 'pinned' victims against cars and fences, 'trapping' them, and used 'coercive and violent behaviour for sexual gratification.'

She said that his first victim, whom he tackled to the ground, was choked three times until her eyes were 'bulging', before attempting to rape her.

He ran after, and followed, some of the women, punched another of them in the face as she screamed for help, grabbed them sexually, tried to kiss them, exposed himself, and made 'disgusting' sexual comments, including demands for sex.

All of his victims say they are still living with the mental consequences and trauma of Arfaoui's actions, including struggling to trust people, no longer feeling safe in Jersey, a fear of walking alone, panic attacks, avoiding certain areas, and only feeling safe at home.

 CCTV footage showed Arfaoui as he wandered the streets, approaching women.

Arfaoui gave no reaction as he was sentenced.

Jurats recommended he be deported upon the completion of his sentence, with the 27-year-old told his presence 'is detrimental to the island' and that he is 'a risk to women.'

He's also been placed on the sex offenders register for 12 years.

Investigating Officer, Detective Constable Jack Maguire, said:

"Today’s sentence will hopefully provide some closure to the five women involved in this case. It must be stressed that it is due to their courage in reporting these offences, providing evidence and giving testimony in court, that a dangerous sexual offender has been brought to justice. Jersey is a safer place because of their actions.

"On behalf of the States of Jersey Police, I would like to thank all the witnesses who assisted with this case, the Law Officers’ Department for their professionalism throughout the proceedings and staff at Jersey Domestic & Sexual Abuse Support for their unwavering support to all those involved.

"This case also demonstrates the importance of reporting concerns to police at the earliest opportunity. We would encourage anyone who experiences, witnesses or is concerned about behaviour that does not seem right to contact us. Information that may appear insignificant can often prove crucial in protecting others, identifying offenders and supporting investigations.

"Anyone who has been the victim of a sexual offence is encouraged to contact Police or the Sexual Assault Referral Centre at Dewberry House where support is available."

Support services:

• SARC at Dewberry House: 01534 888222
• Jersey Action Against Rape: 01534 482801
• Jersey Domestic and Sexual Abuse Support (JADS): 01534 880505 / JDAS@gov.je
• Victims First Jersey: 0800 7351612