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Emigration and immigration

"Illegal Immigrant Crime Wave": Shadow Home Secretary Cites Oxford Rape Case as Example of "Public Safety Crisis"

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A recent incident of rape in an Oxford churchyard by an asylum seeker has been highlighted by Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp as an example of the "illegal immigrant crime wave." Philp made the comments during a speech in the House of Commons on Monday, July 21, where he asked the Home Office about criminal activity by migrants in asylum hotels. The case, tried last year in Oxford Crown Court, involved Khaliz Alshimery, a 47-year-old asylum seeker who was sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment with a five-year extended licence for rape, assault by penetration, and three counts of sexual assault.

Key Takeaways:

  • Khaliz Alshimery, a 47-year-old asylum seeker, was convicted of raping a 20-year-old student in a churchyard in Oxford in 2023.
  • The incident took place on November 19, 2023, and Alshimery was sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment with a five-year extended licence.
  • Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp cited the case as an example of the "illegal immigrant crime wave" during a speech in the House of Commons on Monday, July 21.
  • Philp stated that there is a "border security crisis" and a "public safety crisis" facing women and girls, citing the case of Alshimery as evidence.
  • The Minister of Home Affairs, Dame Diana Johnson, responded that any allegation of crime or sexual assault is taken seriously, including by individuals in the asylum system.
  • The Home Office reported that 5,179 foreign national criminals were removed from the UK in the first year of the current government's office, a 14% increase from the previous year.
  • The incident highlights concerns about the safety and security of asylum seekers, as well as the potential for violent repeat offenders.
  • The university student victim of the attack has spoken out in a victim impact statement, describing the incident's impact on her self-esteem and university career.

Statistics:

  • 5,179 foreign national criminals were removed from the UK in the first year of the current government's office, a 14% increase from the previous year.
  • 20-year-old university student was raped by Khaliz Alshimery in a churchyard in Oxford in 2023.
  • 47-year-old asylum seeker Khaliz Alshimery was sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment with a five-year extended licence for rape, assault by penetration, and three counts of sexual assault.

Sources:

  • [Oxford Mail: An asylum seeker who raped a woman in an Oxford churchyard has been named in Parliament as an example of the "illegal immigrant crime wave"](https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/19540039.asylum-seeker-raped-woman-oxford-churchyard-named-parliament-example-illegal-immigrant-crime-wave)
  • [House of Commons: Debate on Monday, July 21](https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2024-07-21/debates/FAFBA2A9-F34F-46C6-A696-EF18C946B145/Immigration-Border-SecurityCrisis)

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