Courts / Donegal / Report

Six years for Algerian national who carried out 'violent predatory' sex attack

Date
2026-07-20
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Donegal
County
Donegal

Summary

An Algerian national, Mohamed Hallam, has been jailed for six years for a violent predatory sexual attack on a young woman in Donegal. Hallam, who moved to Ireland in 2023, was convicted of sexual assault, assault causing harm, and non-fatal strangulation. The victim, who was heavily intoxicated, was attacked in a dark alleyway after meeting Hallam in a nightclub. She described being choked, pinned down, and sexually assaulted. The court heard that she had bruises and a possible bite mark on her stomach. Hallam initially denied the charges but later accepted the jury's verdict. The judge reduced the headline sentences due to mitigating factors, including Hallam's acceptance of guilt. The victim's impact statement detailed the lasting trauma she experienced. Hallam was ordered to undergo post-release supervision and engage in psychological counselling and a sex offender treatment programme.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Six years for Algerian national who carried out 'violent predatory' sex attack. Charges or matters: sexual assault, assault causing harm and non-fatal strangulation on October 20, 2024; the offences. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted

When:

Why: He said the aggravating factors were "the grave harm" done to the victim and the fact that she was a vulnerable victim on the night because she was "heavily intoxicated". CNI source report

Case subjects

Unnamed 28-year-old

Convicted Person

Charges: sexual assault, assault causing harm and non-fatal strangulation on October 20, 2024; the offences (Proven)

Plea: Not guilty

Finding: Convicted

Outcome: Convicted; An Algerian national who choked and sexually assaulted a young woman down a dark alleyway in a "violent, predatory" attack has been jailed for six years.

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Central Criminal Court

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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