Police praise bravery of victim sexually abused by vile gang in Sheffield

A Sheffield Crown Court jury found Shangar Ibrahimi and Kawan Omar Ahmed guilty of rape and also returned majority guilty verdicts on Jasim Mohammed and Nzar Anwar for rape.

Anwar and Saba Mohammed were both found guilty of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice by a majority.

Five defendants Usman Din, Tony Juone, Kamaran Mahmoodi, Saman Mohammed and Farhad Mirzaie were all found not guilty of rape.

Detective Inspector Rob Platts said: “The bravery of the victim has resulted in the conviction of five very dangerous offenders for serious sexual offences.

He added: “I commend the victim, now a woman trying to rebuild her life, for her bravery in coming forward and speaking to police about the horrific abuse she faced.

“She had to recount incredibly traumatic incidents of sexual abuse and exploitation in front of the jury over several days and it is testament to her bravery that she elected to do this in person. I am so pleased her voice has been heard.”

The court heard how the victim, who is entitled to lifelong anonymity, was groomed and exploited between 2010 and 2012 when she was aged 15-16 after being plied with alcohol and drugs before being sexually abused.

DI Platts said: “At the time of the offending the victim was incredibly vulnerable and was deliberately targeted for the purposes of sexual exploitation.

“It is difficult to put into words the damage and impact of sexual exploitation on children, but I hope that by hearing this brave woman’s account, other victims of this awful crime find the strength to come forward and tell someone what has happened or is happening to them.”

Anyone with concerns about child sexual exploitation should call 101, or 999 if a crime is in progress. Advice and support is available by calling or texting the national helpline Say Something on 116 000.

The five convicted will be sentenced on March 13.

Those found guilty of offences include:

Jasim Mohammed, 37, of Maxwell Way, Sheffield – three counts of rape;

Nzar Anwar, 40, of Exeter Drive, Sheffield – one count of rape and one of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice;

Saba Mohammed, 41, of Faranden Road, Sheffield – one count of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice;

Kawan Omar Ahmed, 31, of Margate Drive, Sheffield – two counts of rape;

Shangar Ibrahimi, 30, of HMP Hull – one count of rape.

Those found not guilty include:

Usman Din, 35, of Seaton Crescent, Sheffield – not guilty of three counts of rape and one count of trafficking for sexual exploitation;

Tony Juone, 61, of Pitt Lane, Sheffield – not guilty of one count of rape;

Kamaran Mahmoodi, 37, of Walkley Road, Sheffield – not guilty of one count of rape;

Farhad Mirzaie, 28, of Ironside Road, Sheffield – not guilty of two counts of rape. Mirzaie had previously pleaded guilty to drug offences, for which he will be sentenced on 13 March;

Saman Mohammed, 41, of Fox Street, Sheffield – not guilty of one count of rape.