A man will spend at least 21 months in jail for abducting and trying to rape a woman he found unconscious in the street, after DNA on her clothes was linked to him decades later.
Azam Alameddine, 50, happened on the intoxicated 22-year-old woman in Sydney’s west on June 19, 1995.
The then 21-year-old put her in his car, and at some point as they drove along, formed the intent to sexually assault her, driving her somewhere “sufficiently isolated”, Judge Nicole Noman said during Alameddine’s sentencing in the NSW District Court on Friday.
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Alameddine pleaded guilty and was convicted of attempted sexual intercourse and forceful abduction of a woman with intent to carnally know her, both offences which carry a maximum sentence of 14 years.
The woman initially thought he was helping her and would have felt fear when she realised she was not being rescued, the judge said.
Alameddine pulled the woman’s pants down and attempted to remove her underwear as she resisted. She held her lips tightly closed as he attempted to penetrate her mouth with his genitals, which was unwanted and caused obvious distress, the judge said.
The woman was mentally and physically vulnerable and Alameddine knew it, having commented on her being unconscious.
Tears to her pants and bra showed some sign of a struggle.
The judge said it was commendable Alameddine eventually desisted and then drove her to a police station.
However, he provided a false account of the incident, which he maintained a week later when questioned, and then for more than two decades until his October 2021 arrest after DNA on the woman’s clothing was linked to him.
The judge said he probably relied on the woman’s intoxication when providing his false account of what occurred.
Alameddine later reflected he opportunistically took advantage of the situation and has expressed shame and regret for his impulsive actions in a rash, foolish, but nonetheless serious act reflecting a significant lack of judgement by an emotionally immature person, the judge said.
Alameddine has been jailed for at least a year and nine months.
An intensive corrections order allowing him to serve his sentence in the community was considered by the judge, but not available for his total sentence of three years and six months.
He will be eligible for parole on April 27, 2025.
Alameddine’s lawyer requested a suppression order as his client’s surname has received “significant publicity” in relation to an alleged criminal group he said he is not related to.
However, the judge rejected the request, coming at a late stage in the proceedings.
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au.
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