Description
The mother of a 13-year-old girl who was attacked while roller-skating home in Basildon has praised the "speed and compassion" shown by Essex Police throughout the investigation.
She said her daughter was "listened to, believed and treated with care" from the moment the incident was reported, and credited the swift police response with helping her daughter's recovery and ensuring the offender was quickly brought to justice.
Her comments come after Mohammed Younas, 31, was jailed for a total of nine years and two months with an extended licence of three years at Basildon Crown Court on Wednesday 5 August.
Younas - a British-born national - admitted a range of serious offences, including kidnap, engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, being concerned in the supply of cocaine, possession of criminal property and possession with intent to supply cocaine and cannabis.
His conviction followed a fast-moving investigation which saw officers identify him through DNA evidence and arrest him within three days of the attack.
The victim had been spending time in Basildon with a friend on 30 April.
After visiting a shopping centre and roller-skating together, the pair headed home.
Having left her friend at her address, the girl continued towards her own home alone.
As she reached Parkside, she was approached by Younas, who began following her.
He asked if she "wanted a push", which she declined.
Younas then grabbed the girl, covered her mouth and forced her along a path towards an area of bushes.
There, he placed her on the ground, warned her not to scream and claimed he had a knife and a gun.
The incident lasted only moments before he discarded the girl's phone and fled.
The victim courageously made her way home and immediately told her mother what had happened.
Officers were alerted and an investigation began.
Arrested on his doorstep
Detectives and specialist officers launched a series of enquiries, including forensic opportunities, house-to-house work and patrol activity as efforts intensified to identify the man responsible.
The investigation continued at pace and, by 3 May, DNA recovered from the victim's shoe had been analysed and matched to Younas, identifying him as the prime suspect.
Officers attended his address in Bearsted Drive, Pitsea, and arrested him on his doorstep.
Searches of his home uncovered evidence of drug dealing, including a burner-style mobile phone, cocaine and cannabis plants.
Around 132g of cannabis, valued at approximately £780, and 66g of cocaine, valued at between £2,800 and £3,400, were recovered.
During interview, Younas initially sought to deny any wrongdoing.
In a prepared statement, he falsely claimed the victim had hit his car and pushed him, denying any assault had taken place.
However, his account was comprehensively undermined by the consistency of the victim's account and the DNA evidence linking him directly to the offence.
Faced with the overwhelming evidence gathered by investigators, Younas ultimately admitted the offences.
Around 132g of cannabis, valued at approximately £780, and 66g of cocaine, valued at between £2,800 and £3,400, were found at Younas' home.
"This will affect me for the rest of my life"
In an impact statement, the victim said:
“I think that this will affect me for the rest of my life. I don’t know how I’m supposed to trust anyone.
“I worry about how this may affect future relationships for me because anyone could do what that man done to me.
“I try to forget every day. I try not to think about it. But no matter how hard I try, it is always in my mind.”
"My daughter was listened to, believed, and treated with care and compassion"
The victim's mother said:
"I am incredibly grateful for the speed and professionalism of the police response to this incident.
“At the time, everything felt overwhelming, but I was reassured by how quickly officers acted and by the significant police presence in the area.
“From the very beginning, my daughter was listened to, believed, and treated with care and compassion.
“The swift actions taken by officers helped her recovery, giving her confidence that what had happened to her was being taken seriously.
"The suspect was identified and arrested quickly, and I am thankful that he will now be brought to justice. Throughout the investigation, the support provided by the police has been amazing, and we are so grateful.
“The judge showed great care and understanding throughout the case, and I really appreciated the way the proceedings were handled.
“I would like to thank PC Lily Dyer.
“She has been amazing throughout this investigation and has shown such kindness and support to my daughter.
“The relationship she built with her gave her the confidence to move forward, and I honestly don't think my daughter would have returned to school when she did without Lily's support.
“I am also pleased that the court has imposed both a restraining order and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
“Knowing that measures are now in place to monitor and restrict this man provides reassurance that steps have been taken to protect others from harm in the future. I truly believe we have prevented someone from going on to harm other children.”
"The courage shown by this young girl cannot be overstated"
PC Dyer, of our Child Abuse Investigation Team, said:
“This was a deeply distressing incident for a young girl and her family, who found themselves dealing with something no-one should ever have to experience.
"From the moment this offence was reported, officers across a number of teams worked relentlessly to identify the person responsible, while ensuring the victim and her family received the support and safeguarding they needed.
"The courage shown by this young girl cannot be overstated.
“Despite the ordeal she had been through, she immediately told her mum what had happened, which allowed us to begin our investigation without delay.
"Cases of this nature are thankfully rare, but when they do occur, we treat them with the utmost seriousness.
“Every available investigative opportunity was pursued, from forensic examinations through to extensive enquiries on the ground, resulting in Younas being identified, arrested and brought before the courts within days.
"Even when faced with overwhelming evidence, Younas initially sought to deny his actions and blame the victim.
“However, the strength of the evidence gathered left him with no option but to admit what he had done.
"I hope today's sentence provides some measure of comfort to the victim and her family. I would also like to thank them for the trust they placed in us throughout the investigation.”