Refugee Sex Offender Sarmad Milhim Denied Parole After Disturbing Crimes

Sarmad Milhim, a 44-year-old Iraqi refugee, has been denied parole after being sentenced to five years and four months for serious sexual offenses. The decision was made by a panel led by Judge M. Crosbie at the Dunedin District Court. Milhim was convicted of two charges of sexual violation by unlawful sexual connection, two indecent assaults, and the distribution of an objectionable publication.

The events leading to Milhim’s conviction took place in December 2023, when he entered the victim’s flat after hearing raised voices. He invited the victim and her children to his home, where they shared alcohol. After returning to the victim’s residence, she became incapacitated due to intoxication and fell asleep on a couch. Disturbingly, evidence from Milhim’s cellphone revealed that he filmed himself molesting the unconscious woman, while her preschool-aged child could be heard crying and pleading, “don’t hurt my mum.” Milhim later forwarded the video to his brother in Syria, describing the situation with apparent pride.

Judge Crosbie described the facts of the case as “as serious as they are troubling.” He expressed grave concern over Milhim’s comments regarding consent and intoxication. The judge emphasized that there is no justification for any belief in consent in such cases, particularly given the presence of a child during the offenses.

In a further troubling development, the court was informed that Milhim attempted to contact the victim again after the initial incident, showing an alarming disregard for her boundaries. During sentencing, he initially claimed the acts were consensual and described sharing the video as intended for “a laugh.”

Milhim’s path to rehabilitation is complicated by language barriers, as he has been recommended for alcohol and drug treatment, alongside group therapy, which will only commence when his English proficiency improves. Judge Crosbie noted that psychological intervention may also be necessary due to the severity of the offenses and the circumstances surrounding them.

Despite Milhim’s intentions to reconnect with a former partner, it was revealed that she was not aware of the reasons behind his incarceration. As a high-security prisoner, Milhim’s status will be reviewed next month, but currently, there are no viable accommodation proposals for his release, leading to the rejection of his parole application.

Milhim will have another opportunity for parole consideration in November 2024, with his sentence scheduled to expire in May 2029. The case underscores the serious nature of sexual offenses and their lasting impact on victims and communities.