A “PREDATORY and opportunistic” sex offender attempted to rape a woman as she slept.

Amro Badawi was jailed for 13 years following a sexual assault in a flat above a Southampton restaurant.

The 28-year-old was found guilty of attempted rape and sexual assault following a five day trial at Southampton Crown Court in December.

Badawi, of Mandela Way, Southampton, who had been working as a chef at the time of the incident, was found not guilty of a single count of rape.

The court heard how in the early hours of August 11, 2018, the woman awoke to a man lying behind her, sexually assaulting her. The woman froze in fear before the man then attempted to rape her.

According to police, she managed to shout and push him off her, before he returned to his room - which he was renting in the same flat as she was temporarily staying in.

It was heard that it was once the man had stood up that she saw it able to identify him as Badawi, and told police what happened to her.

During court proceedings yesterday, it was heard that he had been accused of rape in 2015.

However, after standing trial, he was found not guilty and acquitted.

Ms Preston told that the complainant in the case had been a 21-year-old woman who had been on a night out with friends Southampton.

She had alleged to have woken up to find Badawi having intercourse with her.

Defending, Tom Horder, said his client had problems with drinking in the past and suffers from mental issues.

He mentioned depression, anxiety and low self-esteem.

In mitigation, Mr Horder argued the length of time for the case to be dealt with by the courts.

Judge Christopher Parker QC weighed up to risk Badawi posed to the public.

Ultimately, he branded him a danger to women and said his behaviour had been “predatory and opportunistic”.

He jailed him for 13 years.