Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 4754Sexual assault · Co. Dublin

Food delivery man given suspended sentence for sexually assaulting student in Dublin

In April 2021, Arslan Cheema, a 29-year-old food delivery man, allegedly sexually assaulted a 19-year-old student in a car outside student accommodation in Dublin city centre, after she had ordered takeaways from him. Gardaí arrested Cheema, who gave them a different account from the victim's. Cheema later pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. On 4 November 2024 Judge Crowe imposed an 18-month sentence, suspended in full for three years, and ordered that Cheema be placed on the sex offenders' register.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced4 Nov
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Arslan Cheema pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault of a student in a car.
Where
The assault took place in a car outside student accommodation in Dublin city centre.
When
The assault took place in April 2021.
Other details
  • Cheema was 29 and the victim was 19 at the time, and the two had been on first-name terms because she ordered regular takeaways from him.
  • The victim said she had a breakdown and ended up in hospital after the assault, and read a victim impact statement in court.
  • Cheema has no previous convictions and lost his job due to publicity about the case.
Investigation
  • The victim told gardaí that Cheema grabbed her face and tried to kiss her.
  • CCTV footage was obtained showing the victim leaving the car upset.
  • Cheema was arrested and gave gardaí a different account of events.
Charges
Cheema pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault.
In court
The case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, where Judge Crowe said the aggravating factors included breach of trust and the impact on the victim.
Sentence
  • Judge Crowe imposed an 18-month prison sentence, suspended in full for three years on strict conditions.
  • The judge warned that the court may take a different view if Cheema comes to negative Garda attention during the suspension period.
  • Cheema will be placed on the sex offenders' register.
15 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatCheema pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a student in a car. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe assault happened in a car outside student accommodation in Dublin city centre. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe assault happened in April 2021. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe victim told gardaí that Cheema grabbed her face and tried to kiss her. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationCCTV footage was obtained showing the victim leaving the car upset. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationCheema was arrested and gave gardaí a different account. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeCheema pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtJudge Crowe said the aggravating factors included the breach of trust and the impact on the victim. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Crowe imposed an 18-month sentence, suspended in full for three years on strict conditions. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge warned that the court may take a different view if Cheema comes to negative Garda attention in the suspension period. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceCheema will be on the sex offenders' register. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe victim was 19 at the time and had been on first-name terms with Cheema, from whom she ordered regular takeaways. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherCheema has no previous convictions. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherCheema lost his job due to publicity about the case. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe victim said she had a breakdown and ended up in hospital after the assault. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 4 Nov2024
    Sentencedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Food delivery man avoids jail after sexually assaulting teenage student

    Sentencing report for Arslan Cheema: 18-month sentence fully suspended for three years, placed on the sex offenders' register, and details of the assault and victim impact.

    victim, 19, femaleconvicted, Arslan Cheema, 29, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Arslan Cheema