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A gym user who assaulted a woman in a hotel steam room has been banned from every swimming pool, sauna and hot tub in Britain.

Ali Rashid is not allowed to enter any such public or private facility to which women have access to for the next five years.

The 44-year-old, who was yesterday handed an eight-month suspended jail term at Cardiff Crown Court, is only permitted to visit swimming pools during men-only sessions.

Rashid, of Linwood Court, Elm Street, Cardiff, admitted sexually assaulting the woman in the steam room of the four-star Mercure Cardiff Holland House hotel on Newport Road in January last year.

Judge Niclas Parry heard how Rashid had forced himself on his victim, kissing her neck, stroking her hair and touching her bare thigh.

Rashid, a Syrian national who required an interpreter during the hearing, initially denied assaulting the woman before pleading guilty to one charge of sexual assault.

Jonathan Reece, prosecuting, told the court Rashid’s victim had felt uncomfortable during previous visits to the hotel gym when she noticed him watching her.

He told how Rashid and his victim had both used the gym on January 13, 2012, before entering the steam room separately.

The court heard Rashid was already in the steam room when the woman entered. He then moved to sit down beside her and assaulted her.

“He attempted to make conversation with her, asking her name before going to shake her hand,” Mr Reece said.

“As she put her hand out he grabbed hold of it and pulled her forward with enough force to pull her up onto her feet.

“He put his arms around her, as if hugging her, he then began kissing the right side of her neck from her ear down to her shoulder/collar bone area. “This happened very quickly and clearly his victim was not expecting it and it took her by surprise.”

As the woman backed off she fell back on to the bench. Rashid then squeezed in next to her squashing her into the corner of the steam room, Mr Reece said.

“He then put his hand on the top part of her thigh, onto her bare skin,” he added.

“She pulled her legs up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them. He was telling her she looked beautiful, young looking and slim and stroking her face and hair.

“This happened for some minutes and the woman was really disturbed by it, she felt she was trapped.”

Finally realising his attention was unwelcome, Rashid then pulled away from the woman telling her: “Don’t be angry, I touch and kiss you because I feel comfortable with you.”

Following the assault the woman reported the incident to hotel staff who in turn informed police.

When officers interviewed Rashid he denied any wrongdoing, saying the woman had in fact kissed him.

He told officers his victim had initiated the kiss after he greeted her, although he did admit to finding the woman attractive and asking her whether she had a boyfriend.

Defending Rashid, Stephen Thomas appealed to the judge for a lenient sentence.

He said: “All sexual assaults are serious. However, this sexual assault falls at the bottom of the rung.

“The offence was committed over a year ago and there haven’t been any problems since.”

The judge said: “This was a serious offence of its kind. It involved a breach of trust, the public trust people to behave themselves in public amenities such as swimming pools, jacuzzis and saunas.

“People must feel that they’re safe to mingle with strangers because that is what they do at these places.

“You violated this lady’s privacy and her dignity, you were persistent and she felt trapped.

“It’s to her credit that she dealt with this matter with some fortitude and her evidence leads me to conclude that she reported this matter not for herself but to try and protect other people.”

Sentencing him to eight months in jail, suspended for a year, Judge Parry also imposed a curfew which requires Rashid to be at his home address between the hours of 7pm and 6am every night until August 9.

He will also be required to register as a sex offender for 10 years.

Judge Parry added: “You are not to enter any public or private swimming baths, sauna or jacuzzi facility to which women have access which means you will be able to attend swimming facilities on male only evenings. That will be for five years.”

Rashid was also told to pay £400 compensation to his victim.