An Eritrean migrant has been sentenced to just 30 hours community service for a violent sexual assault on a woman in a car park.

While on patrol in the town of Bad Oldesloe, Germany, police heard cries of distress. In the stairwell of a car park, officers found a 17-year-old migrant attempting to rape a woman.

Police said that when they found the victim, who is 18 years old, her face and neck were covered with bite wounds. They said they had to physically tear the Eritrean away from the young woman, whom he was holding down and trying to rape when the police approached him.

Police spokeswoman Sonja Short said the migrant was aggressive and tried to resist arrest, reporting that one officer needed to be hospitalised after the Eritrean struck him on the head. Ms. Short noted that the victim was also under medical supervision as a result of the brutal sex attack.

On Thursday, after a two-hour hearing was held behind closed doors due to the defendant’s age, the court let the migrant go free. For assault, sexual assault and resisting arrest, the judge sentenced the Eritrean to just 30 hours community service. The migrant, who had consumed alcohol at the time of his arrest, was also told he must undertake classes in alcohol awareness.

Interior minister Stefan Studt condemned the attack as “obnoxious and disgusting” but warned the public not to harbour suspicions against migrants in general.

Professor Monika Frommel said that the assault was nothing to do with the Eritrean’s culture and instead blamed Germany for the brutal attack. The criminologist said that “lack of prospects, lack of recognition and lack of access to sex” drives migrants to sexually assault women. To counter this, she argues, the country must improve opportunities for young migrant men.