An immigrant who fled Afghanistan when the Taliban took power appeared in court after being accused of molesting a 14-year-old girl who was walking her dog.

Gulahmad Oryakhail, 21, who was allowed into the UK under the armed forces resettlement scheme, is said to have forced his hands under the teenage girl’s bra and between her legs near the Harbor Park Amusements in Littlehampton.

He appeared in custody at Crawley Magistrates’ Court, where he was sent to Lewes Crown Court for a pretrial hearing on November 26.

He is accused of sexually assaulting her on October 25 and stalking her between October 25 and 27.

The court heard Oryakhail repeatedly kissed the schoolgirl on the lips and neck while demanding sex and tried to drag her to a more secluded area.

14-year-old boy allegedly assaulted while walking family dog ​​near Harbor Park Amusements (pictured)

The alleged attack took place on Windmill Road (pictured) but Gulahmad Oryakhail disputes the allegations

Oryakhail appeared in custody at Crawley Magistrates’ Court, where he was sent to Lewes Crown Court (pictured) for a plea and pre-trial hearing on November 26.

Prosecutor Jeremy King said Oryakhail then bombarded the complainant with phone messages over the next two days and she was arrested near her home address.

He has been in the UK for twelve months and lives with his parents.

The girl’s family were looking for Oryakhail and were described by Mr King as “angry and agitated” when police arrived to arrest him.

The prosecutor requested that the young Afghan remain in custody because: “He would be a real risk for vulnerable young people in the area.”

Magistrates agreed he should remain in custody.

The long-haired and bearded Oryakhail, who required the assistance of an interpreter, had been cycling near the seaside and will contest the charges.

Oryakhail claims the girl told him she was 18 and consented to sexual contact with him, as well as voluntarily giving him her phone number.

Oryakhail, of Fairlight Court, Pier Road, Littlehampton, who works part-time in a local Wimpy bar, gained UK residency through his brother, who assisted the British Armed Forces, allowing the whole family to settle in the Britain.

In 2021, the UK government agreed that Afghan nationals, who have served or assisted in our armed forces, have the right to permanent residence under the Afghan Resettlement and Assistance Policy.

Their application can also include a partner, dependent children and additional family members, and as of November 2023, there were over 2,000 eligible Afghans still in the UK residency queue.