An Iranian asylum seeker who contested allegations of attempted rape by claiming to have a ‘micropenis’ has been jailed.

Hossein Mohmoudi, 37, who arrived in the UK after piloting a small boat across the channel, stalked a 43-year-old woman home from a Christmas party in December 2024 and tried to rape her in an alleyway.

He had tracked her for almost an hour, following her onto a bus, and only stopped his attack when a passerby intervened – and has now been sentenced to 11 years in prison.

But Mohmoudi, described as a ‘dangerous sexual predator’ by Judge Sarah-Jane Griffiths, had insisted during his trial that the attack could not have happened because he had a ‘micropenis’.

Two doctors were dispatched to his cell to measure the size of his penis and assess his claim.

Consultant urologist Dr George Fowlis previously told Snaresbrook Crown Court that Mohmoudi’s penis was ‘normal’.

He further argued he had a low libido as a result of his obesity, smoking habit and depression.

This claim was undermined when the court was told that Mohmoudi had been talking on a fetish website before the attack – which he said was only so he could practice his English.

Hossein Mohmoudi, an Iranian migrant, has been jailed for trying to rape a woman in an alleyway after stalking her back from a Christmas party

Judge Griffiths told him: ‘I do not believe for one moment that you were on that site to learn, or improve, your English.’

She added: ‘I also find that you were clearly able to have sexual intercourse. The evidence against you was overwhelming.’

The jury also heard that Mohmoudi had received an email from a sperm bank about his application to donate. 

Mohmoudi, who left Iran in 2014, had entered four countries illegally – Turkey, Greece, Germany and France – before coming to Britain. He was convicted twice of assault and three times of criminal damage while in Germany.

The judge noted that just three months before the attack Mohmoudi had ‘terrified’ a woman by following her home, loitering outside and ‘looking in for a considerable period of time’ – prompting a call to police.

Prosecutor Christiaan Moll also revealed Mohmoudi had previously stalked a barmaid in south-west London and harassed another woman by repeatedly emailing her at work.

The judge said: ‘I have no doubt you were wandering the streets in the early hours looking to see if there was anyone around you could take advantage of.

‘It is clear that this offence has caused severe psychological harm,’ adding: ‘You have shown no remorse at all.’

Mohmoudi followed her for three miles, from Whitechapel to Stratford.

Footage was shown to the court of Mohmoudi following his victim, and crossing roads when she did. The actual assault was hidden from view by a gate but she screamed, ‘Wait! Wait! Wait! F*** you! F*** off! F*** you! F*** off!’

The attack was interrupted after 27 seconds by a cyclist, who the victim said had ‘saved’ her.

The victim said: ‘I thought you were going to kill me that night if you hadn’t been interrupted. You still might… You completely destroyed my life.’

Because Mohmoudi denied the attack, he could not be forced into an STD test – so his victim was left with ‘no choice but to take medication to prevent HIV and hepatitis B’.

She said: ‘The side effects of the first month of taking HIV meds on my stomach, my weight and my energy were a horrific extension of what you did to me.

‘December used to be a time I looked forward to. Now, when the Christmas lights go up and the party invitations come in, my body knows the anniversary is coming before my mind does.’

Judge Griffiths sentenced Mohmoudi to 11 years in prison and gave him an extended licence period of four years.

He will serve two-thirds of his custodial sentence before being assessed for parole, and will be liable for deportation after his custodial sentence is served.

Detective Inspector Thomas Meaden, who led the Metropolitan Police’s investigation, said: ‘The victim has shown great strength throughout what has been an extremely hard experience. I hope this outcome provides some measure of justice.

‘Mohmoudi is a predator who poses danger to any women and girls he may cross. Had he not been interrupted by a brave member of the public, he intended to commit further harm.’