Migrant said he had 'never been this close to a white woman' before sexual assault

A migrant staying on the Bibby Stockholm barge told a teenage girl that he had “never been this close to a white woman” before assaulting her. Moffat Konofilia was living in temporary asylum seeker accommodation after travelling to the UK from the Solomon Islands. In December 2023, the 48-year-old approached the 17-year-old on the beach.

The teenager, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, said Konofilia began talking to her and commenting on the colour of her skin. She began to feel uncomfortable after he said he had “never been this close to a white woman”. A court heard that he had lied to the girl about living on the barge, instead saying he was in Weymouth on holiday.

The teenager then started to record their conversation and was heard saying “no,no” as the asylum seeker attempted to kiss her on the mouth. He then apologised as the girl left to walk home.

However, Konofilia tried to follow the girl home, but she managed to lose him down an alleyway.

The next day, the victim reported the incident to the authorities. Konofilia was then interviewed by police where he claimed the girl told him she was 18 and he wanted to help her.

The migrant denied kissing her, instead claiming he put an arm around her to comfort her, yet she pulled away. He also denied following her, the court heard.

Konofilia was later found guilty of one count of sexual assault by magistrates in Poole. After being released on bail, the asylum seeker moved to Coventry in former university accommodation converted to house 100 migrants.

A previous court hearing heard that he had two interviews for his asylum claim, which depended on the outcome of the case.

Konofilia, who is a former football player, said his first language was Pijin - a common language in the Solomon Islands. Currently, there are no specific visas for Solomon Islanders to enter the UK to seek asylum.

Typically, people seeking asylum from the islands go to Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.