British Airways cabin crew manager convicted of sexual assault

A 55-year-old Indian-origin British Airways cabin crew manager has been convicted of sexually assaulting a female colleague at his home in Berkshire, south-east England. Amardip ‘Amo’ Dhariwal was found guilty of one count of sexual assault at Reading Crown Court on Tuesday following a nine-day trial.

Thames Valley Police said the former flight manager has been released on strict conditional court bail and is due to be sentenced at the same court on October 29.

“I would like to commend the courage of the victim in coming forward to report this offence and for remaining engaged throughout the investigation and court process,” said investigating officer Detective Constable Clare Hickman.

“I also commend the strength and integrity of the two other women who supported this case by providing bad character evidence in the interests of justice, not only for themselves but for one another. All three women have shown remarkable resilience, courage, and dignity throughout.

“I hope this conviction provides them with a sense of justice and supports them as they continue to move forward with their lives,” she said.  An 11-member jury unanimously concluded that Dhariwal was guilty of the crime dating back over four years after a previous trial in May last year ended in a hung jury, leading to the retrial this week.

In May 2022, Dhariwal, who worked for British Airways as an in-flight cabin crew lead at the time, invited a colleague, a woman in her twenties, to his home in Bracknell, the court was told.

After spending the evening socialising together, the victim fell asleep on the sofa and awoke the following morning to find that Dhariwal was “sexually touching her without her consent”.