In a case that has sparked outrage and concern over campus safety, an Indian student studying in the UK has been handed a suspended prison sentence after he unlawfully entered a fellow student’s room and committed a lewd act during the Christmas break.

Udkarsh Yadav, 18, a civil engineering undergraduate at Northumbria University, was sentenced by Newcastle Crown Court after admitting to entering the room of a female classmate at Trinity Square student accommodation and masturbating on her bed and soft toys.

DNA Evidence Sealed The Case

The incident came to light when the victim returned after the holidays and discovered suspicious stains on her bedding and three of her stuffed animals.

A forensic investigation was launched, and DNA evidence linked the bodily fluids to Yadav, who eventually confessed.

He admitted that he used a faulty gym key-card—originally issued by the university—to gain unauthorised access to the room.

The defect in the card allowed him to open multiple doors in the accommodation block, which he exploited.

Court Delivers Suspended Sentence

Yadav was convicted of burglary with intent to cause criminal damage, a charge that shocked many given its disturbing nature.

Judge Mark McKone KC described the act as “a disgusting and selfish thing to do,” noting that the victim, who was living away from home for the first time, had been deeply affected.

Yadav was sentenced to 14 months in prison, suspended for two years.

Additionally, he has been ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid community work, attend rehabilitation sessions, and pay £117 in compensation for the damaged items.

Academic And Immigration Fallout

Following the verdict, Yadav has been moved out of the university accommodation, and Northumbria University is currently reviewing his student status. If his Tier-4 student visa is revoked, he could face deportation back to India.

A university spokesperson confirmed that the faulty key-card issue has since been rectified, and additional security reviews are underway to prevent similar breaches in the future.

A Wake-Up Call for Campus Security

The case has triggered broader discussions around the safety and mental well-being of students living in shared accommodations, particularly international students navigating new cultural and legal environments.

Yadav’s future now hangs in the balance, as he faces both ac`ademic expulsion and potential removal from the UK. For the victim, the psychological scars from the incident may take much longer to heal.

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