Asylum seeker jailed for sexually assaulting teen

A man has been jailed for sexually assaulting a girl in Cheshire.

Taha Derwish approached a group of teenage girls walking on Nantwich Road in Crewe on 24 September 2025 and made several unwanted advances towards them, police said.

The 26-year-old went on to inappropriately touch one of the girls on the bottom, despite being told they were 15 years old.

He was arrested within 10 minutes, Cheshire Police added. Derwish was jailed for 15 weeks at Chester Crown Court on 12 October after previously pleading guilty to sexual assault.

"I would like to commend the girls involved in this incident, who were understandably left shaken and upset by Derwish's actions," said Det Sgt George Booth.

"They trusted their instincts, recognised that his behaviour was completely unacceptable, and contacted police immediately.

"Their swift actions allowed officers to attend the scene and arrest Derwish within minutes of receiving the call."

When Derwish first appeared in court in September 2025, magistrates heard he was appealing a refused asylum application and had been staying at the Royal Hotel in Crewe.

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