by Lorraine King A plumber molested a young mother after turning up at her home to fix her washing machine, a court heard. Hadi Assaidi, 38, of Casey Close, Lisson Grove, allegedly pressed the victim up against the faulty device and tried

by Lorraine King

A plumber molested a young mother after turning up at her home to fix her washing machine, a court heard.

Hadi Assaidi, 38, of Casey Close, Lisson Grove, allegedly pressed the victim up against the faulty device and tried to kiss her.

Southwark crown court heard he only backed off after she pleaded for him to leave her alone, and told her: "I'm sorry I couldn't control myself."

The terrified woman fled her home on the Edgware Road with her one-year-old baby.

Jurors were told Assaidi had overheard the woman asking a grocer for help with her washing machine in November 2007 and volunteered to turn up in two hours after she had put her baby to sleep.

Hanna Llewellyn-Waters, prosecuting, said: "It is the crown's case that the defendant took advantage of the woman and her vulnerable status by coming into her home, ostensibly to fix the washing machine, when she was there alone with her young child.

"Once in the house it is the crown's case that he abused her trust in letting him in by taking the chance to sexually assault her by trying to kiss her on the mouth and force himself against her."

Assaidi asked the woman to come into the kitchen after claiming that the machine could not be fixed, the court heard.

Ms Llewellyn-Waters continued: "He tried to kiss her on the lips and she moved her head so he got her on the cheek.

"She pleaded to leave her alone. She was too scared to physically defend herself because she thought this would provoke him."

Police were able to trace him using his phone number.

He claimed during his interview she had thrown himself at her but he knocked her back.

Assaidi denies one count of sexual assault.

The trial continues.

lorraine.king@archant.co.uk