Latest Offenders

Description

Kern Lenehan, 23, of Watch Street, Woodhouse, Sheffield, has been jailed for four years and one month after raping a 12-year-old girl on three occasions.

Sheffield Crown Court heard that Lenehan, then 19, met the girl on an adults’ dating site. She claimed to be 19 throughout. Under cross-examination he admitted he did not believe she was 19 and realistically thought she was around 15, but did not challenge her.

Judge Peter Hampton told him: “The reality is there were red warning lights flashing across the board, which you simply ignored. Your suggestion that you genuinely, and reasonably, believed her to be 19 was clearly a nonsense… I’ve seen pictures of her at the time.”

He continued: “You conceded you were in denial about her true age… you conceded in cross-examination that the victim looked 15, not 16… you willingly closed your eyes to the victim’s true age. I’m sure your motivation to do so was for there to be a sexual relationship whatever her age.”

The rapes took place in a tent near the girl’s Doncaster home. Children under 13 cannot legally consent to sexual activity. The offences came to light after her brother checked her Snapchat and messaged Lenehan asking why he was contacting a 12-year-old. Lenehan then ended contact. The girl has lifelong anonymity.

Lenehan admitted two counts of rape of a child under 13 and one count of making indecent images of a child, relating to a video of one of the incidents. He was also given a one-year extended licence, making the total sentence five years and one month, and must remain on the sex offenders’ register for life.

In a statement, the girl’s mother said her daughter “struggles significantly” and added: “I feel she has been robbed of her childhood.”

Defending, Ishaq Usama said Lenehan was, and remains, “emotionally immature.”

Judge Hampton told him: “You knew she was incapable of consenting. You did not care.”

Sentencing took place on 1 and 2 October 2026.

Description

A 26-year-old man from London has been jailed for 18 months after pleading guilty to two counts of engaging in sexual communications with a child and three counts of breaching a Sexual Risk Order.

Samuel Jamieson, of Brook Drive, London was sentenced when he appeared at Southampton Crown Court on Tuesday (29 September), having admitted all five offences at a previous hearing.

His offending took place in the Southampton and Bursledon areas.

Jamieson engaged in sexual communications with two children, aged under 16 years, between Monday 1 December 2025 and Tuesday 20 January 2026.

The breaches of his Sexual Risk Order (SRO) took place between Monday 1 September 2025 and Monday 2 February 2026.

One of the breaches occurred when Jamieson was found to be in possession of an item capable of accessing the internet without having first registered that item with the police, something he was prohibited from doing as part of his SRO.

Speaking after sentencing, Detective Constable David Trathan, of the Eastleigh Criminal Investigation Department, said:

“We continue to work tirelessly to target those who attempt to exploit and sexually abuse children, whether in the real world or virtually.

“I would like to place on record my thanks to the victims and their families in this case for coming forward and reporting Jamieson’s crimes and supporting us throughout our investigation.

“It’s not an easy thing to do, but their courage has ensured that a dangerous and predatory man will now face the consequences of his actions in prison.

“We always take allegations of this nature extremely seriously and work extremely hard to bring offenders to justice.
“Anyone who has any concerns at all about child abuse can contact us at any time.

“We recognise that not everyone has the confidence to speak to police, but there are support services available that can help you if you are a victim of abuse.”

Description

A man from Swansea has been jailed after being found guilty of rape and sexual assault.

27-year-old Caeran Evans, from Penlan, carried out the attack against a female victim in October 2024.

Evans had offered the victim a lift home after a night out. Later that night, a video was recorded and shared on messaging groups depicting Evans consuming drugs placed on the victim's body whilst she appeared to be asleep. Sexually degrading words had also been written on her body.

Evans pleaded guilty to sexual assault at Swansea Crown Court in December 2025, but, following trial, he was also later found guilty of rape by a jury on September 16.

He has now been sentenced to a total of seven years in prison. He has also been made subject of a restraining order against the victim for a period of 15 years.

Detective Inspector Meirian Evans said:

“Caeran Evans took advantage of his intoxicated victim in a heinous and calculated way.

“That he knew he was being filmed and still carried on for some kind of perverse self-gratification only makes the situation unimaginably more abhorrent.

“Thankfully, the court saw through his protestations and the guilty verdict and seven-year sentence shows that justice has been achieved for the victim.

“We commend her on her bravery in coming forward to report what Caeran Evans did to her, and hope that she can now begin to move on with her life.”

Description

A 30-year-old man has been found guilty of sexually assaulting a woman at an address in Moreton-in-Marsh.

Kane Landell was in a white delivery van when he saw a woman pull up in her car outside an address.

The court was told how he approached her and said he had a parcel for delivery at her address, and then asked her if she lived alone.

Landell then followed her into the house uninvited, asked to use the bathroom and left the parcel on the table.

When the woman looked at the parcel, she could see it had no name or address on it. 

Landell, of Chadwick Avenue, Birmingham then exited the bathroom and was seen to have an erection, and the woman told him he needed to leave the address.

He then approached her and pressed his erect penis against her hip, and she again told him to get out of the address.

The woman began to film Landell, who got back into his van and he then hurriedly attempted to reverse up a narrow lane and collided with bushes and a wall.

The victim was able to get the registration of the van when the incident happened on 17 June 2024.

She contacted police and Landell was subsequently identified and arrested on suspicion of sexual assault.

Following an investigation by Gloucestershire Constabulary's Rape and Serious Sexual Offences team, the Crown Prosecution Service authorised a charge of sexual assault.

Landell denied the offence and on 23 September a jury at Gloucester Crown Court found him guilty.

He was remanded in custody and is due to be sentenced on 12 November.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Dan Sackett said:

"I would like to thank the victim for her resilience and for persevering with the criminal justice process which has resulted in Landell being found guilty of the offence.

"Due to her help and quick-thinking to film him, he was identified and rightly put before the court."

Description

A vile rapist who subjected his victim to a decade of horrific sexual abuse has been given a custodial sentence of 23 years.

Michael Pugh, 45, of Sutton St. Nicholas, Hereford, appeared before Worcester Crown Court on Friday (2 October) where he was sentence for 16 offences as follows:

• Six counts of rape
• Four counts of sexual assault
• Four counts of adult sexual activity with a person aged 13 to 17
• One count of wound / inflict grievous bodily harm without intent
• One count of engage in controlling / coercive behaviour

Pugh (pictured) was given a total custodial period of 23 years. This was comprised of an extended sentence of 15 years plus eight years on licence.

He was further given a restraining order of no direct or indirect contact with his victim for life, a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) of 25 years, and to register as a sex offender for life.

Pugh’s offending related to 16 offences over 10-year period of rape and sexual abuse including forcing his victim to work on webcams and many other degrading and humiliating acts.

Detective Chief Inspector James Bamber of the Protecting People Unit (PPU) said:

“Our thoughts remain with the survivor of Pugh’s horrific sexual offences, and we hope the verdict allows them to move on with their life in some way.

“This long custodial sentence is down to the survivor’s courage and a good investigation by the team. The case is clearly an horrific one we hope we have got some sense of justice for them.”

Description

A child sexual abuser from Herefordshire was sentenced to 14 years in prison when he appeared in court today (Wednesday 7 October).

David McKimmie, 62, of Hope under Dinmore, was found guilty of the below 13 offences following a trial in November 2025 where he was found guilty for 11 offences relating to one victim and the remaining two following another trial in September relating to a separate victim.

• Seven counts of assault female child under 13 by touching
• Four counts of assault a girl under 13 by penetration
• One count of cause / incite a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity
• One count of sexual activity with a female child

McKimmie (pictured) was sentenced to a total of 14 years in prison, made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) for 15 years, and ordered to pay court costs of £6,000.

PC Chris Yarwood, officer in case, said:

“We are pleased to get this custodial sentence for McKimmie and would like to pay tribute to the survivors of his perverted actions for their courage in coming forward and giving us the evidence that has led to this successful conviction.

“They have patiently waited while this has gone through the courts over a few years, but we hope today’s sentencing will help them to move on with their lives and that it encourages other survivors of sexual abuse to come forward.

“Our message to anyone who has suffered similar abuses is we will always listen to you and act where appropriate no matter when the offences took place.”

Description

‘I said no. I told him to stop. He did not. He showed no regard for me or my consent’ – those are the words of a victim-survivor after the man who raped her is jailed for nine years.

Calvin White, 35, raped and sexually assaulted the woman numerous times across various addresses in the North East – despite her making repeated pleas to tell him ‘no’.

It wasn’t until the victim-survivor courageously disclosed the attacks to a health professional that White’s offending came to light.

Amongst the evidence were messages between the pair where the woman had confronted White about what he had done, to which he replied ‘What? When I raped you?’

After the offences were reported to Northumbria Police, White was arrested and questioned in connection with the reports.

In interview, White denied any wrongdoing, claiming everything which had happened had been consensual. He also denied sending any of the text messages.

In spite of this, following a complex investigation, White, of South Dene, South Tyneside, was charged with a slew of offences.

He continued to deny the charges, however, on the first day of his trial at Newcastle Crown Court in July, he pleaded guilty to six offences: three counts of rape and three counts of assault by penetration.

He appeared back at the same court last Monday (September 28) for his sentencing hearing where the victim-survivor described how much the abuse had affected her via Victim Personal Statement (VPS).

She said:

“Since the abuse, I have suffered from severe anxiety and paranoia. I lived in constant fear that he was watching me or would come after me.

“The abuse isolated me from friends and made me feel completely alone. I became withdrawn and stopped going out unless absolutely necessary. The only times I left the house were to go to work and back.

“I did all my shopping online because I couldn’t face being around people. I was exhausted, mentally and physically.

“I couldn’t sleep. I lost my sense of security and stability.

“Even now, years later, I still struggle with the lasting impact. I don’t trust men. When I go for a walk and a man looks at me, I feel deeply uncomfortable, sometimes panicked.

I avoid eye contact, turn around, and walk the other way. These reactions are automatic, and they show how deeply this trauma is still embedded in me.”

Talking about the abuse itself, she said:

“I said no. I told him to stop. He did not. He showed no regard for me or my consent.

“The memory of those moments will stay with me forever.

“This experience has changed me. I’ve lost my sense of safety, my trust in people, and parts of who I used to be. I am still trying to recover.

“I want the court to understand that although the abuse may have ended physically, I continue to carry the emotional, mental, and financial consequences with me every day.”

White was handed a nine-year prison sentence by a judge at Newcastle Crown Court.

White will also spend the rest of his life on the Sex Offenders’ Register and was given indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Orders (SHPO) and restraining orders.

Leading on the case was Northumbria Police’s Detective Constable Wood, she said:

“I’d firstly like to highlight the bravery of the victim-survivor in this case.

“The courage and determination she has shown throughout this process has ultimately led us to holding White to account for the attacks he carried out against her.

“While the sentence is no retribution for what she’s had to endure at White’s hands – I hope it can provide some closure and help her move forward.”

She added:

“White has demonstrated repeatedly that he does not understand the concept of ‘no means no’ – despite claiming that he does.

“Sex without consent is rape; it’s as simple as that.

“And that is something no-one should ever have to experience.

“Please know, if you’ve been a victim of any form of abuse – we are here for you and we will support you.”

Description

Sex offender from Gillingham has been jailed for breaching preventative court orders.

Monitoring software captured Lee Glendenning, 40, messaging with an adult woman and, due to him recently moving to Medway, officers decided to check in on him at his Franklin Road home on 21 July.

Searching through his phone, the chat with the woman that had been observed via the monitoring software had been deleted. By deleting the messages, he had breached his SHPO conditions.

Glendenning pleaded guilty to the breach and was jailed at Maidstone Crown Court on Wednesday 30 September for 1 year.

Description

Sex offender from Gillingham has been jailed for breaching preventative court orders.

Officers reviewing monitoring software on the phone of Ian Brown, 43, noticed he had been messaging several women over many applications. Concerned, his Paget Street home was attended on 8 September and a manual check of his phone revealed he had deleted messages, breaching the terms of his court order.

He was also found to be messaging a 12 year old girl.

Brown was charged with and admitted to multiple breaches of his SHPO and at Maidstone Crown Court on Monday 5 October he was sentenced to 1 year and 4 months in prison.

Description

Sex offender from Gillingham has been jailed for breaching preventative court orders.

Officers became aware that Ben Horrobin, 40, was potentially in possession of a phone he had not made police aware of and attended his Fox Street home on Tuesday 5 May 2026.

Arresting him while the property was searched, Horrobin lunged towards an open window and threw a phone out of it. A review of this device uncovered around 5,000 indecent images of children, undeclared email addresses, and access to messaging sites and internet browsers in which usage history is deleted.

A bank card was also found which he had not notified police of.

He was later charged with multiple offences including making indecent images of children and breaching his SHPO. At Maidstone Crown Court on Friday 2 October, he was jailed for 2 years and 9 months.

Description

A man has been sentenced to 10 years and 6 months in prison after being found guilty of a series of sexual and violent offences against a woman.

Ainsley France (20/11/1997), of Lever Street, Radcliffe, was sentenced to 10 years and 6 months imprisonment after being convicted of two counts of rape, sexual assault and coercive and controlling behaviour.

A thorough investigation by officers from Bury CID uncovered overwhelming evidence of France's sustained campaign of abuse and controlling behaviour towards the victim.

The investigation established that France repeatedly stalked the victim while she was out in public with friends and family. 

France went on to rape and sexually assault the victim on multiple occasions. Despite being told to stop, he continued his abuse and mocked the victim.

The evidence gathered by investigators, alongside the victim's courage in supporting the prosecution, resulted in France being found guilty of all offences.

Detective Constable Christopher Davis, from Bury CID, said:

"The victim has shown incredible strength and courage throughout this investigation and without her determination a dangerous offender may not have been brought to justice.

"She was subjected to sustained abuse, violence and intimidation which left her isolated, frightened and living under the constant threat of further harm.

"While the sentence cannot undo the trauma she has suffered, we hope it provides some measure of closure and allows her to move forward knowing that France can no longer harm her or others.

"This case demonstrates our commitment to pursuing those who commit offences of this nature and ensuring they are held accountable for their actions.

"I would urge anyone who has experienced sexual abuse, stalking or controlling behaviour to come forward and report it. You will be listened to, supported and treated with the utmost care throughout any investigation."

Description

21-year-old Bailey Harding has been jailed for sexual offences against a teenage girl.

Harding, who was 17 when the offending began, abused the victim over a period of 18 months. The victim, a girl known to Harding, was just 14 at the time the abuse began. In January 2024 the victim contacted police and disclosed offences of rape, sexual assault, being strangled and being threatened at knifepoint.

Harding was swiftly arrested, and during a subsequent search of his room two large zombie-style knives were found and seized. In interview he denied all accusations, and claimed the victim was making malicious allegations against him.

Following a trial in July, he was convicted of:

• One count of rape
• Three counts of engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged 13-15
• One count of intentional strangulation
• One count of threatening a person with an offensive weapon in a private place
• Controlling and coercive behaviour

On Friday, 25 September Harding, (26/03/2005), of Bookham, was jailed for four years and six months at Chichester Crown Court. He was also issued a seven-year restraining order and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

The victim is now an adult, but the effects of Harding’s abuse continue to seep into her life. She said, “I often feel as if I can see him in big crowds or in dark places” and described regularly changing her appearance so he wouldn’t recognise her if she ever saw him in public. She reflects on how he used the fact that he was older and stronger to control her, and how “I felt he was my saviour but ultimately he was my tormentor.” She told the court that “I haven’t slept peacefully in two and half years.”

Investigating officer DC Helen Cridge said:

“I would like to recognise the victim’s remarkable courage in coming forward while she was still an extremely vulnerable child. Her strength and determination have been inspiring, and her actions have played a vital role in securing this result. I hope her bravery gives others experiencing abuse the confidence to come forward, knowing that they will be listened to and that they are not alone.”

Urging others experiencing similar offences to come forward the victim said, “I know how hard it can be to speak about something that has happened to you, especially when that person has made you feel like you should stay quiet. But please don’t be afraid to speak out. Don’t let anyone make you feel like your voice doesn’t matter, and don’t let anyone take it away from you.”

Description

A man who followed a young woman onto a train before sexually assaulting her has been jailed, following a British Transport Police (BTP) investigation.

Siljan Lacaj, 33, and of Palace Road in Haringey, was sentenced on Thursday 24 September at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court to one year imprisonment, having been found guilty of Sexual Assault.

He was also handed a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) that will bar him from speaking to, approaching, or touching any woman that he does not know and prevent him from sitting next to or near any woman. He was also ordered to sign onto the sex offender's register for 10 years.

The court heard how on Monday 3 November 2025 just before 9.30pm Lacaj was at Leicester Square Underground station when he noticed a young woman sat on a bench by herself at the end of the platform.

Lacaj approached and sat next to her, asking her persistent personal questions. He then followed her onto a Piccadilly Line train and sat next to her again.

He then sexually assaulted her, which was noticed by two other people on the train. The two witnesses asked the victim if she knew the man, to which she shook her head.

Other passengers began to shout at Lacaj and demanded he moved, to which he became aggressive. The other passengers then moved the victim away, and a fight broke out between Lacaj and other passengers on the train.

An off-duty Metropolitan Police officer who was on the train intervened and arrested Lacaj on suspicion of Sexual Assault, at which point Lacaj claimed that he was just trying to help the girl get home.

In interview, Lacaj showed no remorse for his intimidating and disgraceful actions, refusing to answer any of the questions put to him.

BTP Detective Constable Dominika Rogers said:

"Lacaj's behaviour was appalling. He deliberately subjected a young woman, who was travelling alone, to a prolonged assault for his own gratification. There is simply no place for conduct like this on the railway network, and I am pleased that he has been held accountable for his actions.

"I would like to pay tribute to the victim for the courage and resilience she showed in coming forward and reporting what happened. I cannot praise the two women on the train enough for noticing what was happening and stepping in to support and protect her. Their actions undoubtedly made a difference and demonstrate the importance of looking out for one another when someone is in need of help.

"If you've been the victim of sexual offending on the railway network or have witnessed an incident, I urge you to report it to us by texting 61016 so that we can secure the justice you deserve."

Description

Three men and a 17-year-old boy who groomed and raped a teenage girl in Bristol last year leaving her “broken beyond resistance” have received custodial sentences.

• Awal Ahmadzai
• Mehrab Safi
• Salman Habibkheil

Mehrab Safi, 21, and Salman Habibkheil, 19, arranged for the victim to be brought into Bristol where they, together with Awal Ahmadzai, 19, and the 17-year-old boy, plied her with alcohol and raped her. 

They denied the offences but were convicted after a trial earlier this year and were sentenced to a combined 36 years at Bristol Crown Court today (6 October). 

The victim met Safi, of St Werburghs, on 25 November 2025 having visited the city to go Christmas shopping with a friend. 

Safi tried to persuade the pair to go to his home, offering them drugs and a place to charge their phones, but they declined and went back to their homes. 

However, Safi continued messaging the victim via Snapchat and requested indecent images from her. 

Less than a week later Safi and Habibkheil, of Lockleaze, arranged for her to be brought into Bristol by taxi. She was then taken to Safi’s house and given alcohol. 

The pair, along with Ahmadzai, of no fixed address, and the teenage boy, all of whom are Afghan nationals, then raped and sexually assaulted the victim over a period of several hours. 

She was found by officers at Safi’s home in St Werburghs having been reported missing by her mum. 

The teenage boy was arrested at the scene and the three men were arrested a few days later having been brought back to the UK after fleeing to France. 

Phones belonging to Habibkheil and Ahmadzai were found to have been used to search for news of the incident online and were also used to research court procedures relating to serious sexual offences. 

Court convictions

Safi, whose self-defined ethnicity is”any other Asian background”, was found guilty of two counts of rape and one count of arranging or facilitating the travel of a female with a view to exploitation. 

Habibkheil, whoseself-defined ethnicity is “any other Black background”, was convicted of one count of rape and one count of arranging or facilitating the travel of a female with a view to exploitation. 

Ahmadzai, whose self-defined ethnicity is “any other Asian background”, was found guilty of one count of rape and one count of sexual assault. 

The teenage boy, who cannot be identified because of his age, was convicted of one count of rape. 

At today’s sentencing hearing, a statement from the victim was read out. In it she spoke about the ongoing impact the offences has had. 

The victim said:

“When I think back to who I was a year ago, I can say that I am a different person to who I was before this all happened. I had a lot more friends, I would go out a lot more, I was happier – now I stopped going out, I don’t even leave the house in general.  

“My dream was to go to college, I wanted to work in a nursery with children, but because my anxiety now is so bad, I had to put a hold on to that dream. I do not know how I will ever be able to do that by myself.  

“When I heard that these men were found guilty, I was very glad and relieved. I knew they were guilty anyway, but I was still scared that they would get away with what they have done and I am relieved they will not be able to do that.” 

In a separate impact statement, the victim’s mother said she and her daughter had felt supported by police officers and a registered intermediary during the investigation and court process.  

She added:

“As a mum it was really hard for me to hear what had happened to my daughter and it is hard to think that my baby has gone through something so horrific, not just once but four times by four men who thought they could do what they wanted to her.  

“It is really hard for me to see how it has affected her and how she has withdrawn from the world around her. She hasn’t been able to go back into Bristol since.” 

Broken beyond resistance

Sentencing at Bristol Crown Court, Judge Cullum said the three men and the 17-year-old boy and left the victim “broken beyond resistance”.

“The victim was obviously vulnerable, and that’s why you all preyed on her,” he said. “She was, in my judgement, vulnerable from the moment you set eyes on her.”

He added:

“Having taken her by a convoluted route back to your house, you then all had sex with her when you wanted, irrespective of what she wanted.

“She was plied with drink until she was very significantly affected. You were getting her drunk to increase her vulnerability and to increase the prospect that she could not resist.”

Mehrab Safi was sentenced to 15 years in prison. 

Salman Habibkheil was sentenced to nine years’ detention. 

Awal Ahmadzai was sentenced to nine years’ detention. 

The 17-year-old boy was sentenced to three years’ detention. 

Detective Chief Inspector Matt Cable, the senior investigating officer, said:

“It’s impossible to understate how significant these offences were. 

“They took advantage of a vulnerable young girl, purely to fulfil their own sexual gratifications. 

“At no point did they give a second thought to the victim’s welfare and the trauma associated with that night will be with her forever. 

“Her bravery in standing up in court and telling her story is awe-inspiring. She has now seen them face justice for the crimes they committed against her. 

“The victim continues to be supported by a specially trained officer and support will continue to be available for as long as it is needed.” 

Georgina Broom of the Crown Prosecution Service said:

“The young victim in this case was targeted, groomed, and then lured to an unfamiliar city, miles from home in the dead of night.   

“Isolated and alone, she was plied with alcohol and then raped and abused over several hours by four different people. It was clear throughout that she did not consent. 

“Thankfully the three men who fled in such a cowardly manner were swiftly returned to the UK to face justice. 

“The CPS is committed to delivering justice for the victims of rape and sexual abuse, and I would encourage all victims to come forward to report offences to the police, so they can be investigated.” 

Description

Three men and a 17-year-old boy who groomed and raped a teenage girl in Bristol last year leaving her “broken beyond resistance” have received custodial sentences.

• Awal Ahmadzai
• Mehrab Safi
• Salman Habibkheil

Mehrab Safi, 21, and Salman Habibkheil, 19, arranged for the victim to be brought into Bristol where they, together with Awal Ahmadzai, 19, and the 17-year-old boy, plied her with alcohol and raped her. 

They denied the offences but were convicted after a trial earlier this year and were sentenced to a combined 36 years at Bristol Crown Court today (6 October). 

The victim met Safi, of St Werburghs, on 25 November 2025 having visited the city to go Christmas shopping with a friend. 

Safi tried to persuade the pair to go to his home, offering them drugs and a place to charge their phones, but they declined and went back to their homes. 

However, Safi continued messaging the victim via Snapchat and requested indecent images from her. 

Less than a week later Safi and Habibkheil, of Lockleaze, arranged for her to be brought into Bristol by taxi. She was then taken to Safi’s house and given alcohol. 

The pair, along with Ahmadzai, of no fixed address, and the teenage boy, all of whom are Afghan nationals, then raped and sexually assaulted the victim over a period of several hours. 

She was found by officers at Safi’s home in St Werburghs having been reported missing by her mum. 

The teenage boy was arrested at the scene and the three men were arrested a few days later having been brought back to the UK after fleeing to France. 

Phones belonging to Habibkheil and Ahmadzai were found to have been used to search for news of the incident online and were also used to research court procedures relating to serious sexual offences. 

Court convictions

Safi, whose self-defined ethnicity is”any other Asian background”, was found guilty of two counts of rape and one count of arranging or facilitating the travel of a female with a view to exploitation. 

Habibkheil, whoseself-defined ethnicity is “any other Black background”, was convicted of one count of rape and one count of arranging or facilitating the travel of a female with a view to exploitation. 

Ahmadzai, whose self-defined ethnicity is “any other Asian background”, was found guilty of one count of rape and one count of sexual assault. 

The teenage boy, who cannot be identified because of his age, was convicted of one count of rape. 

At today’s sentencing hearing, a statement from the victim was read out. In it she spoke about the ongoing impact the offences has had. 

The victim said:

“When I think back to who I was a year ago, I can say that I am a different person to who I was before this all happened. I had a lot more friends, I would go out a lot more, I was happier – now I stopped going out, I don’t even leave the house in general.  

“My dream was to go to college, I wanted to work in a nursery with children, but because my anxiety now is so bad, I had to put a hold on to that dream. I do not know how I will ever be able to do that by myself.  

“When I heard that these men were found guilty, I was very glad and relieved. I knew they were guilty anyway, but I was still scared that they would get away with what they have done and I am relieved they will not be able to do that.” 

In a separate impact statement, the victim’s mother said she and her daughter had felt supported by police officers and a registered intermediary during the investigation and court process.  

She added:

“As a mum it was really hard for me to hear what had happened to my daughter and it is hard to think that my baby has gone through something so horrific, not just once but four times by four men who thought they could do what they wanted to her.  

 
“It is really hard for me to see how it has affected her and how she has withdrawn from the world around her. She hasn’t been able to go back into Bristol since.” 

Broken beyond resistance

Sentencing at Bristol Crown Court, Judge Cullum said the three men and the 17-year-old boy and left the victim “broken beyond resistance”.

“The victim was obviously vulnerable, and that’s why you all preyed on her,” he said. “She was, in my judgement, vulnerable from the moment you set eyes on her.”

He added:

“Having taken her by a convoluted route back to your house, you then all had sex with her when you wanted, irrespective of what she wanted.

“She was plied with drink until she was very significantly affected. You were getting her drunk to increase her vulnerability and to increase the prospect that she could not resist.”

Mehrab Safi was sentenced to 15 years in prison. 

Salman Habibkheil was sentenced to nine years’ detention. 

Awal Ahmadzai was sentenced to nine years’ detention. 

The 17-year-old boy was sentenced to three years’ detention. 

Detective Chief Inspector Matt Cable, the senior investigating officer, said:

“It’s impossible to understate how significant these offences were. 

“They took advantage of a vulnerable young girl, purely to fulfil their own sexual gratifications. 

“At no point did they give a second thought to the victim’s welfare and the trauma associated with that night will be with her forever. 

“Her bravery in standing up in court and telling her story is awe-inspiring. She has now seen them face justice for the crimes they committed against her. 

“The victim continues to be supported by a specially trained officer and support will continue to be available for as long as it is needed.” 

Georgina Broom of the Crown Prosecution Service said:

“The young victim in this case was targeted, groomed, and then lured to an unfamiliar city, miles from home in the dead of night.   

“Isolated and alone, she was plied with alcohol and then raped and abused over several hours by four different people. It was clear throughout that she did not consent. 

“Thankfully the three men who fled in such a cowardly manner were swiftly returned to the UK to face justice. 

“The CPS is committed to delivering justice for the victims of rape and sexual abuse, and I would encourage all victims to come forward to report offences to the police, so they can be investigated.”