THIS is the shocking moment an asylum seeker knocked a woman unconscious after she and her pals rejected his advances.
Abdoela Berhan sent 20-year-old Cleo Lake crashing to the ground with a single punch.
Abdoela Berhan punched Cleo Lake to the ground Credit: CPS
He then fled and left her unconscious on the ground Credit: CPS
The 35-year-old had ambushed Cleo and her friends as they left a nightclub in , Dorset.
She had told Eritrean national Berhan to “f**k off” and pushed him away when he got in her personal space.
The footage, which has been released by the CPS, showed the hotel migrant aiming a kick at the young woman, who retaliated.
Berhan then pulled his left arm back and punched Cleo in the face – knocking her unconscious before fleeing.
Cleo was left with a broken nose and black eye Credit: BNPS
Berhan has been convicted but is currently on the run Credit: BNPS
When he was later arrested Berhan, whose address was given as the taxpayer-funded Britannia Hotel migrant hotel, claimed he acted in self-defence.
Cleo described the harrowing footage as “hard to watch” and her mum gasped loudly in court as she saw the moment her daughter was attacked.
Berhan failed to turn up for court but was found guilty of the assault in his absence – just one week after he was also convicted of a rampage in Subway.
He was also found guilty of criminal damage to a cell following a trial.
Cleo had been on a night out in Cameo when she was approached by Berhan Credit: BNPS
She bravely gave evidence in court Credit: BNPS
Despite there being three separate warrants out for his arrest Berhan remains at large, with police saying that “enquiries are ongoing”.
Cleo, who suffered a broken nose and black eye in the attack, said: “It is really frustrating knowing he still hasn’t been picked up.
“I know how slow the police are with things, it doesn’t feel like they are trying very hard.
“I don’t know if he will end up getting what he deserves. And it’s quite scary knowing he’s probably still out there, maybe still in the area.”
Berhan was previously convicted of attacking a Subway worker Credit: BNPS
He was staying at the Britannia Hotel at the time Credit: BNPS
The attack took place in the early hours of December 7, 2024.
Cleo and her friends, who had been to the Cameo nightclub, were outside eating some food when Berhan approached them.
She told Poole Magistrates’ Court: “He tried to sit down with us, I got uncomfortable because none of us knew who he was, it was dark and there was no-one else around.
“I told him to f**k off and he didn’t like it.
“We were arguing, swearing at each other and he got rather close so I shoved him back. He turned around and kicked me, but missed, then I kicked him.”
Cleo also bravely told how she did not go out much after the attack and became anxious and “uncomfortable” around men after the attack.
She added: “Even now, a year and a half later, I won’t go out clubbing unless there’s a lot of us or someone’s boyfriend is there, for protection. Because I have the thought that something bad will kick off.”
Judge Orla Austin said she was satisfied Berhan was guilty of assault and made a warrant for his arrest.
It comes after the thug was previously convicted for in Bournemouth.
Berhan lashed out at Sahjan Chowdhury when he tried to make him leave for being aggressive.
He fled the shop in Bournemouth, – only to return later that day to pick up food orders for his Just Eat delivery job.
Poole Magistrates’ heard the attack took place at around 4.50am on November 30, 2024, close to his asylum hotel.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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