Nadine Osman
A man who has received a five-year prison sentence on June 4 for attempted sexual assault and related offences, a punishment criticised as too lenient by the lawmaker.
Andrey Desmond, 31, was sentenced in Hartford Superior Court for the June 2023 assault on Maryam Khan, the first Muslim to serve in the state House of Representatives.
Desmond pleaded guilty in April to attempted third-degree sexual assault, attempted first-degree strangulation, and risk of injury to a minor, all of which are felonies. Following his prison term, Desmond must undergo parole, register as a sex offender, and receive mental health treatment. Desmond’s lawyer, John Stawicki, stated that Desmond regretted his actions and had struggled with mental illness, including schizophrenia. Desmond himself expressed, “The events that happened were out of my control. I didn’t have any self-control.”
Khan, a Democrat from Windsor, emphasised that the assault underscored significant deficiencies in mental health care and victim safety and protection. She remarked, “What happened to me just over a year ago was tragic and will leave a mark on my life and all of those involved. But I am proud to see some semblance of justice today. It is important to note that what occurred that day is far more common than we would care to admit.”
Desmond has a documentted history of mental illness, and after a court-ordered evaluation, he was deemed competent to stand trial
Khan, who had pushed for hate crime charges, recounted being attacked after attending an Islamic event at the XL Centre arena in Hartford with her family.
Desmond approached them while they were taking photos outside, stating his intention to have sexual relations with one of them. He then followed them inside, with Khan becoming his primary target, grabbing at her face and shirt, and demanding a kiss. His aggression continued outside, where he attempted to grab her face again, slapped her, and put her in a chokehold before slamming her to the ground.
Khan sustained a concussion and injuries to her right arm and shoulder. Desmond was apprehended by two bystanders and held until police arrived. One of the bystanders, a military veteran, faced misdemeanour assault charges but was approved for a pretrial diversion programme that will expunge the charge.
Photo: Connecticut lawmaker Maryam Khan was attacked outside an Islamic centre following Eid al-Adha prayers in 2023.
(Credit: Facebook/Maryam Khan/CC)
