Aliyawar Yawari preyed on ‘lone, elderly women’ before being detained in immigration detention, court docs reveal

A man who was released from immigration detention following a High Court ruling has a history of preying on “lone, elderly women”, court documents reveal.

Yawari had a history of sexual offending against “lone, elderly women” court documents reveal. Picture: Paul Garvey

An Afghanistan-born man, who walked out of immigration detention mid-November before being arrested for allegedly indecently assaulting a woman in a motel, has a lengthy history of violent sexual offending against “lone elderly” women, court documents reveal.

Aliyawar Yawari’s arrest on December 2 sparked nationwide concern over a High Court decision that led to the release of 148 non-citizens – including rapists, murderers and drug traffickers – from immigration detention facilities.

In three states, authorities have rearrested convicted criminals who were released from detention after the High Court ruled a stateless Rohingya man, known as NZYQ, convicted of child sex offences, could not be indefinitely detained.

The decision sparked calls for ministers to resign as the government rushes to introduce legislation, which will mean high risk ex-detainees are locked up again.

As one former detainee with prior convictions in South Australia, Yawari is no stranger to being behind bars – after spending years locked up in SA for sexual offending against elderly women.

Documents released to The Advertiser have revealed the extent of Yawari’s prior offending – detailing the attacks he made on three women between October 2013 and December 2014.

A trial by judge and jury in 2016 found Yawari guilty of assault causing harm after hearing he first attacked a woman in Bordertown on October 9, 2013.

The court heard Yawari was living with two colleagues he worked alongside at the meatworks when he met the victim in the centre of town.

Aliyawar Yawari has a habit of assaulting “lone elderly women”. Picture: 7NEWS

“(Yawari) and (the victim) became acquainted and went back to Yawari’s home to have a drink,” Judge Paul Cuthbertson said during sentencing in September 2016.

“(Yawari) suddenly became angry and the complainant went to leave. She got to the front door but his hand pushed against the door and closed it.

“He pushed her into the lounge and held her by her biceps. He punched her in the face several times.”

In her victim impact statement, Yawari’s first victim said she was “once a free and easy person accepting most people and cultures, but now somewhat less trusting of others, especially men.”

Nine months later, Yawari, while “heavily intoxicated” kicked in the door of an elderly woman in Kilburn while she was at home with her three children.

“The police were called and he was arrested and claimed no real recollection of what had occurred.”

Judge Cuthbertson said Yawari received a suspended sentence and entered into a good behaviour bond for twelve months.

However, a month after receiving that suspended sentence, Yawari attended the home of a 64-year-old woman and assaulted her in December 2014.

“He indecently assaulted her by lifting her shirt and grabbing her breasts and attempting to put his hand down her trousers,” Judge Cuthbertson said.

“As his victim was going inside, he struck her in the vicinity of the neck from behind with a walking stick. For this offence he received a sentence of two years imprisonment, which he was required to serve in addition to the three-month sentence which had previously been suspended.

“This is now the third offence involving a lone elderly woman with sexual overtones to it. The offender is making himself a danger to the Australian community.”

Following his release from custody, Yawari was detained in the Yongah Hill Immigration Detention Centre where he remained until last month.

He was arrested at the Pavlos Motel in Pooraka following the alleged indecent assault.

An employee at the venue confirmed Yawari was one of two detainees residing at the motel, however the state and federal governments have been tight lipped about the whereabouts of five others.

On Tuesday, SA Police Assistant Commissioner for Crime John Venditto declined to comment on the specific locations where ex-detainees were living, but said they were predominantly in Adelaide’s “northern areas”.