Cardiff student sexually assaults customer hours after starting job at uni bar

Cardiff: A master’s student had just started his job at a university bar when he committed a shocking act. Amit Patil, 26, groped a woman while working his first shift. It all went down in a busy bar at Cardiff University.

Patil denied the assault, but the court found him guilty. The incident happened last summer, and the judge pointed out that CCTV footage contradicted Patil’s claims. He insisted there was no contact, but the victim’s testimony was clear and convincing.

Patil, who moved from India to Cardiff in 2023, said he was just trying to finish his shift and go home. He claimed he didn’t even see the woman as he walked past her. But the prosecutor challenged him, suggesting he took advantage of the crowded room and the dim lighting.

After the incident, the victim confronted Patil, and police were called. His lawyer argued that the victim might have been a bit tipsy, but the judge found her to be a credible witness. The CCTV didn’t capture the assault directly, but it showed enough to raise doubts about Patil’s story.

The judge was not impressed with Patil’s decision to remain silent during police questioning, especially since he managed to communicate in English during the trial. He emphasized that the victim’s account was detailed and consistent.

As the verdict was read, Patil showed no emotion. His lawyer mentioned that his visa was about to expire, but Patil acknowledged the court’s authority. The case has been adjourned for a pre-sentence report, and it’s clear this incident has serious implications for him.