Four Afghan nationals have been found guilty of grooming and raping a 17-year-old girl in Bristol last year. Mehrab Safi, 21, Salman Habibkheil, Awal Ahmadzai, 19, and a 17-year-old boy (who cannot be named due to his age) plied the victim with alcohol after arranging for her travel into Bristol. They each denied all offences, claiming the acts were consensual, but were found guilty by a jury at Bristol Crown Court on June 26.
Victim Lured to Bristol
The victim met Safi in Bristol while Christmas shopping with a friend on November 25 last year. He tried to convince her and her friend to visit his house, offering drugs and a place to charge their phones, but they refused and returned home. Immediately after, Safi began messaging the victim and added her on Snapchat, where he asked for indecent images.
Four days later, on November 29, Safi and Habibkheil arranged for a taxi to collect the victim and bring her into Bristol. She was taken to Safi's house in the St Werburghs area.
Rape and Assault
Prosecutor Ed Hetherington said the girl was 'quickly expected' to have sex with Safi, who asked her to remove her clothing six to seven times but insisted they would not have sex. She was plied with alcohol and cigarettes until drunk and then raped by Safi and Habibkheil. After falling asleep, she was raped and sexually assaulted by Ahmadzai, and then raped by the 17-year-old boy. Later that morning, Safi raped her again.
'I just wanted to go home, I didn't feel safe, I just wanted to go home,' the victim said. 'I didn't think they were going to do anything but they did anyway.' She said she had only expected Safi to be there.
Police Response and Arrests
The victim's mother reported her missing on the morning of November 30. Police soon found the victim at Safi's house along with the 17-year-old boy. She reported the rapes to an attending officer, and the 17-year-old was arrested. The three men fled when police arrived but were arrested a few days later after they were stopped having travelled into France and brought back to the UK.
The court heard that both Habibkheil's and Ahmadzai's phones were used to search for news about the incident and about police and court procedures for such offences.
Statements from Officials
Detective Chief Inspector Matt Cable, senior investigating officer, said: 'These four people exploited a vulnerable young girl purely for the purposes of their own sexual gratification. They are dangerous individuals who pose a significant threat to young women and girls and gave not a single thought to the welfare of the victim.'
Detective Sergeant Jo Babbage, deputy senior investigating officer, said: 'It's impossible to overstate the courage the victim has shown these last seven months. The horrendous offences committed against her were calculated and a complete breach of trust. Her bravery in recounting that abuse is truly admirable and that extraordinary strength has ensured these four people will now face justice.'
Sally Helliwell 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.'
Charges
The four Afghan nationals were charged as follows:
- Safi, of St Werburghs: two counts of rape and one count of arranging or facilitating the travel of a female with a view to exploitation.
- Habibkheil, of Lockleaze: one count of rape and one count of arranging or facilitating the travel of a female with a view to exploitation.
- Ahmadzai, of no fixed address: one count of rape and one count of sexual assault.
- The 17-year-old boy: one count of rape.
