Custody for Flintshire man who sexually assaulted woman

Gabriel Olah, formerly of Church Street in Flint, appeared at Mold Crown Court for sentence on Thursday afternoon via video link from HMP Berwyn.

The 33-year-old, who is currently an inmate at the Wrexham prison, had been found guilty of sexual assault after a trial at Llandudno Magistrates Court in July.

Thomas McLoughlin, prosecuting, told the court that on the day of the offence, which took place in 2021, Olah had sexually touched a woman without her consent and whispered to her: "No-one will know."

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The victim did not report the incident immediately, but when she did, Olah was arrested in February of the following year.

Whilst awaiting interview in custody, Mr McLoughlin said the defendant acted inappropriately towards a female police officer, making gestures and comments towards her.

And when he realised his actions were being captured on a CCTV camera, his response was: "Oh s***."

In a statement read to the court, the victim said Olah had violated her privacy, which caused her great anxiety.

Gabriel Olah (North Wales Police) (Image: North Wales Police)

When interviewed, Olah described his actions as "an adventure," and claimed he was "very tipsy," and "really high."

He claimed the victim's account of the incident was "exaggerated."

Mr McLoughlin said in March of 2022, the defendant was convicted of possessing drugs and exposing himself - which resulted in him being made subject to a sexual harm prevention order.

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Olah went on to breach that order twice.

Alexandra Carrier, defending, told the court her client had been in contact with the Home Office about him being deported to Romania - which was meant to take place on August 2 but was postponed in order to allow the court proceedings to be concluded.

"He will be back in touch with the home office to get that done at the next opportunity," Ms Carrier said.

"He is aware he faces a custodial sentence - there's no escaping that.

"He's been engaging in services and completing courses [in HMP Berwyn], and he had a job doing sewing which has given him some routine.

"Prior to his remand, he was working well with probation service and is working on addressing his substance misuse.

"He is going back to Romania as soon as he can; he has supportive family over there and knows he can't come back to the UK for some time."

Ms Carrier asked the court to bear in mind the fact that totality would have played a part in the sentence he received, had the offence been brought before the court sooner after his arrest in 2022.

Judge Nicola Saffman handed down a 14 month custodial sentence to run concurrent to his ongoing jail time.

She told him: "This would reflect the overall sentence imposed had these matters been sentenced together."

The Judge also imposed an indefinite restraining order to protect the victim, and ordered Olah not to enter part of Flintshire for any reason for an indefinite period of time.