Azam Alameddine: Villawood man sentenced to prison term for historical sexual assault of woman in Bankstown

A woman left “hysterical” after a man connected to a notorious Sydney crime family sexually assaulted her nearly three decades ago has seen justice served. Read about the vile act.

Azam Alameddine leaves Downing Centre Court

A woman left “hysterical” after a stranger attempted to pull down her jeans and force his penis into her mouth nearly three decades ago has seen justice served with the perpetrator sentenced for the vile act on Friday.

The woman begged police “don’t let him go, don’t let him go” after detailing her ordeal at the hands of Azam Alameddine – who the court previously heard in a 2021 bail application was connected to the notorious Alameddine crime clan. However, no one was initially charged.

More than 28 years later, Alameddine, 50, was convicted and sentenced at Sydney’s Downing Centre District Court to three-and-a-half years behind bars with a non-parole period of one year and nine months.

The Villawood man pleaded guilty to sexual intercourse without consent, forcible abduction with intent to carnally know them and indecent assault in the Local Court.

Documents tendered in court state about 11pm on June 19, 1995, Alameddine found the woman – then aged 22 – who was going in and out of consciousness on the side of the road in Bankstown.

Azam Alameddine pictured leaving Downing Centre Court in 2022.

The court heard Alameddine, who was 21 at the time, pulled over and said “Oh my god, oh my god, there is a girl here unconscious” before taking her to a patch of grass where he pulled down her jeans and tried to pull down her underpants.

“Stop,” the woman cried as the offender attempted to put his erect penis in her mouth.

The sentence was read at Downing Centre District Court. Picture: Nikki Short.

The documents state the woman sealed her lips and shook her head from side to side to prevent him from putting his penis in her mouth.

Alameddine eventually took the victim to Bankstown Command where he told police he found her intoxicated in the middle of the road, picked her up and took her in his car to the station.

When the woman woke at the station, she told police about the horrendous act, with Alameddine claiming “all I did was bring her here”.

The woman had consumed a large amount of alcohol and felt sore before participating in a sexual assault investigation test and making a statement.

Downing Centre District Court. Picture: Nikki Short

While no charges were initially laid, in 2021, DNA from the woman’s clothing linked Alameddine as part of a cold case justice project.

“The delay caused the victim to not be able to experience closure,” Judge Nicole Noman said.

The judge described Alameddine’s crimes as “opportunistic, impulsive and unplanned” adding it was “to his credit” that he took her to the police station after his atrocious assault.

Judge Noman said Alameddine had spent his “best years” contributing to the community and refused a non-publication order request made due to the media coverage focusing on the man’s recognisable name.

Alameddine will be eligible for parole in April, 2025.