Fawzi Omar has been jailed(Image: Devon and Cornwall Police)

Man jailed for sexually assaulting woman in Exeter city centre

by · DevonLive

A man grabbed and sexually assaulted a woman as she walked home in Exeter city centre. Fawzi Omar, 27, has been jailed for four years and a further four years on extended licence.

Exeter Crown Court heard how the Sudanese national, of no fixed abode, targeted the random woman during the early hours of Wednesday, May 8. He approached her, grabbed her and proceeded to sexually assault her despite her telling him she did not want it to happen.

The attack was captured on city centre CCTV and operators managed to track Omar across the city centre. However, he soon went out of frame and was no longer identifiable.

Exeter High Street was cordoned off following the sexual assault(Image: DevonLive)

Police officers continued to search the area but were unable to track him down. Omar's image was circulated before an Exeter city centre operator identified a male matching his description at 1.25am on Tuesday, June 11.

An officer rushed to South Street and arrested Omar on suspicion of sexual assault. He pleaded guilty to sexual assault and was sentenced at Exeter Crown Court on Friday, November 22.

Detective Inspector Paula Trevett said: “We are happy that Fawzi Omar is now behind bars for a horrific attack carried out on a complete stranger. We’d like to commend the bravery of the victim in this case for helping ensure Omar was brought to justice.

A CCTV image of Fawzi Omar(Image: Police handout)

“This is another example of outstanding work carried out by Exeter officers – response, neighbourhood, CCTV and CID. Omar was previously unknown to police and remained at large for four weeks after the offence.

"It was thanks to the diligent work of one of the city centre CCTV operatives who recognised him one night when he was walking around Exeter City Centre, that Omar was arrested. He was wearing the same clothing and had a distinctive walk.

Officers wish to speak to this man about a sexual assault in Exeter city centre(Image: Police handout)

“Omar was arrested and denied the offence however forensics were fast-tracked and a Magistrates’ extension was sought whilst we awaited the results. Omar’s DNA came back as an exact match with the swabs taken from the victim.

“This example of fantastic teamwork demonstrates the drive we all have to make the streets of Exeter safer for women and girls.”