Three Afghan nationals who filmed themselves laughing and celebrating in the back of a lorry while being smuggled out of the UK after raping a 17-year-old girl have been convicted. The footage, captured by Mehrab Safi, 21, showed his friends Awal Ahmadzai and Salman Habibkheil, both 19, appearing to gloat as they thought they had escaped justice.
Footage Reveals Celebration
The video, played in court, showed the men laughing and gesturing as they hid among packages in the lorry. Prosecutor Edd Hetherington told the jury: 'It is a direct insight into the mood of the three, we suggest, as they travel out of the UK and into France. We suggest they are celebrating because they think they have got away with it.' The men were discovered by French authorities soon after arriving in Calais and were returned to the UK, where they were immediately arrested on suspicion of rape.
The Attack
The incident occurred days after the girl met Safi while Christmas shopping in Bristol city centre. Safi groomed her on Snapchat, requesting nude photos, and arranged a taxi to bring her to Bristol in the early hours of November 30. At a property, the girl was given cigarettes and vodka before being raped by Safi and Habibkheil. After falling asleep, she was raped and sexually assaulted by Ahmadzai, and then raped by a 17-year-old boy. Later that morning, Safi raped her again.
The victim told police: 'I just wanted to go home, I didn’t feel safe, I just wanted to go home. I didn’t like it. I just wanted to be at home.'
Convictions and Sentencing
The three men went on trial at Bristol Crown Court alongside the 17-year-old boy. All denied the charges but were convicted. Safi was found guilty of one count of human trafficking and two charges of rape. Habibkheil was convicted of one count of human trafficking and one charge of rape. Ahmadzai was found guilty of one charge of rape and one of assault by penetration. The 17-year-old boy was convicted of one charge of rape.
Judge Michael Cullum told the adult defendants: 'To each of the defendants who are adults, you will receive immediate custodial sentences.' Addressing the youth, he said: 'Although you are 17 years old, you must expect to receive an immediate custodial sentence. Your lawyers will ask me not to send you to custody and I will consider those arguments.' All are scheduled to be sentenced on October 6.
Safi, of St Werburghs, Bristol; Habibkheil, of Lockleaze, Bristol; and Ahmadzai, of Redcliffe, Bristol, were remanded into custody. The 17-year-old boy was released on conditional bail, including an overnight curfew, at an address outside the region.
