In 2026, the Offender Database recorded that Mohammed Esmati, 28, was jailed for the sexual assault of a distressed woman outside a nightclub. On appearing at Warrington Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 19 March 2026, the defendant—a migrant from Afghanistan residing on Victoria Road, Widnes—was sentenced to 12 months in prison. It was reported that Esmati targeted the woman while she was out with friends in Warrington town centre, ignoring her attempts to push him away.
The investigation established the predatory nature of the attack, which was captured in full by a CCTV operator. Cheshire Police reported that at approximately 5:15am in August 2025, Esmati approached the victim outside Reef nightclub. The prosecution reported that he forced unwanted hugs and attempted to kiss the woman before reaching under her clothing to molest her. The victim, who gave evidence from behind a screen during the trial, described being in total shock and hyperventilating following the assault.
Judicial Findings and Investigative Detail
The court reported that Esmati’s claims of consent were entirely contradicted by video evidence. Warrington Magistrates’ Court heard that a CCTV operator witnessed the assault as it happened and alerted officers, who arrested Esmati as he attempted to leave the scene. The investigation established that during his police interview, Esmati provided a prepared statement claiming the interaction was consensual, but he remained silent when shown the footage of the victim forcefully rejecting his advances.
The Presiding Magistrates concluded that the offending was so serious that only an immediate custodial sentence was justified. For his actions in Warrington, Esmati was handed a one-year jail term. The bench noted that the victim was in a vulnerable state and that Esmati’s “reprehensible” persistence in the face of her clear distress had caused significant long-term emotional harm.
Status and Statutory Requirements
For the crimes reported in England, the status of Mohammed Esmati is as follows:
- Custodial Sentence: 12 months in prison (Sentenced March 2026).
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements are active for 10 years.
- Financial Penalties: Ordered to pay £650 in costs and a £187 victim surcharge.
- Judicial Oversight: Convicted at Warrington Magistrates’ Court following a Cheshire Police investigation.
- Criminal Record: Sexual assault.
- Origin: Victoria Road, Widnes, Cheshire (Originally from Afghanistan).
Monitoring and Public Protection
Esmati will be managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) upon his release from custody. Due to the nature of his conduct in Warrington, which involved the public molestation of a stranger and a refusal to acknowledge the victim’s lack of consent, his management is a priority for the Public Protection Unit. Authorities state that his 10-year registration is a critical tool to ensure his residency and movements in Widnes or elsewhere are strictly monitored by police.
As a member of the Sex Offenders Register, Esmati must comply with all notification requirements regarding his identity and address. Authorities state that his history of predatory behavior in Warrington town centre necessitates permanent vigilance. Any future attempt to approach women in public spaces, fail to disclose his location to the authorities, or engage in further sexual aggression will result in immediate arrest and an instant return to the prison system.
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