Afghan ex-teacher jailed six years for Sligo teen alley assault

TL;DR

Ziaullhaq Safi, a former Afghan teacher living in Sligo, lured two teenage girls into an alleyway and sexually assaulted a vulnerable 16-year-old.
Convicted after a three-week trial, he received a six-year prison sentence at Mullingar Circuit Court for assault and sexual exploitation via free pizza.
Victim described lifelong trauma including nightmares and lost innocence, highlighting risks to intoxicated teens from opportunistic predators.

The story at a glance

Ziaullhaq Safi (37), an Afghan national and former teacher who fled Taliban persecution, was jailed for six years after sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl in a Sligo alleyway on April 23, 2023. He worked at a nearby takeaway, lured the girl and her friend inside with free pizza, exposed himself, and tried to anally penetrate her despite resistance. The story broke post-sentencing on April 13, 2026, following a three-week trial at Sligo Circuit Court and sentencing at Mullingar Circuit Court.

Key points

Safi, originally from Afghanistan, taught children there but fled after Taliban threats including his house being burned and father killed; he has refugee status in Ireland, five children, and a pregnant wife expecting twins.
He beckoned the intoxicated teens into the Wine Street alleyway near his workplace, locked the gate, kissed both, lifted one's top repeatedly, exposed his penis, attempted anal penetration, and ejaculated.
Jury convicted him of sexual assault and offering remuneration (free pizza) to a child for sexual exploitation; no prior convictions.
Judge Roderick Maguire called it a serious, sustained assault on a very young vulnerable child using force behind closed doors, with limited mitigation as Safi denies guilt.
Trial featured 13 witnesses, CCTV, photos, and specialist garda interview; victim now 19 did not attend sentencing.

Details and context

Safi had worked in Ireland since arriving via Europe, first in Galway then Sligo at the takeaway. The girl was under alcohol influence from three licensed premises, which the judge noted gardaí might review for renewals. She feared kidnapping, rape, or death during the intrusion.

The assault fits opportunistic attacks on vulnerable youth in public spaces; secondary reports confirm the dark alley setting and resistance details.[[1]](https://www.crimeworld.com/courts/former-afghan-teacher-jailed-after-sexually-assaulting-vulnerable-teenage-girl-in-dark-alley/a/145676473.html)[[2]](https://www.rte.ie/news/connacht/2026/0413/1568032-assault-sentencing)

Victim impact read by Detective Garda Kieran Higgins detailed flashbacks, suicidal thoughts, and inability to sleep, leaving her "picking up the pieces."[[3]](https://www.rte.ie/news/connacht/2026/0326/1565416-ziaullhaq-safi-court)

Key quotes

"He didn't just commit a crime, he stole my innocence." – Victim's impact statement.[[2]](https://www.rte.ie/news/connacht/2026/0413/1568032-assault-sentencing)
"Serious and sustained sexual assault carried out on a vulnerable child under the influence of alcohol... degree of intrusion very significant." – Judge Roderick Maguire.[[2]](https://www.rte.ie/news/connacht/2026/0413/1568032-assault-sentencing)

Why it matters

Sexual assaults on vulnerable teens in everyday settings like alleyways near shops underscore community safety gaps for youth. Parents and businesses face heightened awareness needs around intoxicated minors and stranger lures like free food. Watch for sentencing appeals or related probes into premises serving minors, though details remain from court records.