A man who kidnapped a 13-year-old girl as she roller-skated home in Essex has been jailed for nine years and two months, with an extended licence period of three years, after DNA on her shoe helped police catch him.
Attack in Basildon
Mohammed Younas, 31, grabbed the terrified teenager and dragged her towards bushes before performing a sexual act in front of her in Basildon, 10 miles from Southend-on-Sea, in April this year. He admitted a string of offences including kidnap and engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child.
Bodycam footage shows the moment officers swooped on Younas at his home as he stood clutching an ice cream before being handcuffed on his doorstep. Further footage from his police interview shows Younas refusing to answer detectives' questions, even when confronted with DNA evidence linking him directly to the schoolgirl.
Ordeal on April 30
The horrifying ordeal unfolded on April 30, after the 13-year-old spent the day visiting a shopping centre and roller-skating with a friend. After dropping her friend off at home, she carried on alone towards her own house. However, Younas approached her and began following her. He asked the youngster if she "wanted a push", but she refused. Younas then grabbed her, covered her mouth and forced her along a path towards an area of bushes. He put her on the ground, warned her not to scream and claimed he was armed with a knife and a gun.
The terrifying incident lasted only moments before Younas threw away the girl's phone and fled. She managed to make her way home and immediately told her mum what had happened, sparking a police investigation.
Arrest and evidence
On May 3, DNA recovered from the girl's shoe was analysed and matched to Younas. Police descended on his home in Bearsted Drive, Pitsea, eastern Basildon, and arrested him on his doorstep. Video captures Younas standing with an ice cream in his hand as officers tell him he is under arrest and place him in handcuffs. A subsequent search of his home also uncovered evidence of drug dealing, including a burner-style phone, cocaine and cannabis plants.
Officers recovered around 132g of cannabis, worth approximately £780, and 66g of cocaine valued at between £2,800 and £3,400. Younas initially tried to deny wrongdoing. In a prepared statement, he falsely claimed the 13-year-old had hit his car and pushed him and denied assaulting her. However, he ultimately admitted to kidnapping, 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.
Impact on victim
The brave youngster described how the ordeal continues to haunt her. She 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."
The girl's mum praised the "speed and compassion" of police officers who caught him and said she believes their intervention may have stopped him harming other children. She said: "I am incredibly grateful for the speed and professionalism of the police response to this incident. The swift actions taken by officers helped her recovery, giving her confidence that what had happened to her was being taken seriously."
Police praise
PC Lily Dyer, who was singled out for praise by the family, 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. 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. 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."
Younas, a British-born national, was sentenced at Basildon Crown Court on Wednesday (August 5).
