A LAW student who punched a woman several times in a nightclub was found guilty of assault yesterday.

Abdulrahman Abdelsalam told a jury at Oxford Crown Court he attacked a woman only in self-defence at the Plush Lounge on March 22 last year, and also denied groping her.

The Oxford University student was unanimously convicted of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, but the jury acquitted the 20-year-old of sexual assault.

Judge Patrick Eccles said Abdelsalam could face jail having been found guilty of a “serious assault”.

During the trial, prosecutor Jonathan Stone said the victim was dancing at the Park End Street nightclub with friends when she was allegedly groped from behind.

He said the woman poured her drink over Abdelsalam’s head after he continued to touch her arm, despite her telling him not to, but he then threatened her.

Mr Stone said Abdelsalam punched the victim on the nose, followed by “fairly swift punches” to her face, which sent her tumbling to the floor.

The victim said she feared for her life during the attack, which left her with cuts and bruises to the face, as well as a broken nose.

Abdelsalam said he was walking through the club when he was “violently pushed” and turned around to see the victim, who was “drunk”.

The Lady Margaret Hall student said the woman struck his head and neck with a bottle, causing him to punch her three times in self defence. The victim denied she hit Abdelsalam with a bottle.

Abdelsalam, of Watling Avenue, Edgware, Middlesex, is due to be sentenced on Thursday, July 23.