Two Indian takeaway staff members who drove vulnerable girls in care to a remote location after plying them with drink and drugs, resulting in the rape of a teenager, have been given 16-year extended sentences. Prosecutor Rossano Scamardella KC told Newport Crown Court on Friday that Waseel Shikel and Azad Ahmed drove from Cardiff to the Neath Port Talbot county area in 2021 and met two teenage girls.
Targeting Vulnerable Victims
The court was told the girls were targeted due to their age and vulnerabilities, with both being in care. They were given drugs and alcohol and, once intoxicated, were driven to a remote location. Shikel was driving the car and, along with Ahmed, put “immense and intolerable pressure on the victim to perform oral sex,” Judge Lucy Crowther said. Ahmed, aged 50, got into the back of the car to sit with the victim and “pushed her head down to his exposed penis,” said the judge, adding: “She had no choice, no freedom – there was nothing she could do.”
Repeated Abuse
The court heard the victim of the sexual assault was clearly “extremely vulnerable” owing to her life circumstances. Before dropping the pair back off at their care facility, Ahmed gave the victim £10 cash, and both girls were given cannabis, alcohol, and cigarettes in the hope it might keep them quiet. A fortnight later, the same two girls were collected again by the two men in almost identical circumstances, with 51-year-old Shikel as the driver. The girls became so intoxicated that one was sick. Shikel pulled over and made her clean it up. Ahmed orally raped the same victim and went on to commit a further sexual assault on her by penetration. The victim had consumed so much cannabis that she too described feeling sick.
Victim Impact Statement
In a statement read to the court, the victim said she endured a “living hell” at the hands of both men. She said: “I am a victim and my voice needs to be heard. The words feel inadequate to describe the living hell I endured. But I need you to understand the truth of what it has done to me and what has become of me. I was subjected to horrific things – my body was not my own. It was a tool for their depravity. They have stripped me of everything that made me human. I feel utterly worthless. A shattered shell of the person I once was. Because of them my mind is a constant battlefield of anxiety and depression.”
Convictions and Sentencing
Ahmed and Shikel both denied the allegations but were convicted following a trial of arranging or facilitating the travel of another person with a view to exploitation. Ahmed was also convicted of two counts of rape and one count of sexual activity with a child. Mark Cotter KC, mitigating on behalf of Shikel, said: “I do not have a huge amount to say” but asked the judge to consider Shikel’s previous good character, with three previous convictions, and the impact imprisonment would have on his family and children. Gerard Hillman KC, for Ahmed, said Ahmed had no previous convictions and asked the judge to take into account a letter written to her by Ahmed’s wife who is “sticking by him” despite his convictions. The letter expressed that the mental and physical strain imprisonment would have on her and her children would be “devastating” with Ahmed being the main breadwinner for their family working alongside Shikel in an Indian takeaway as a chef and a waiter. Mr. Hillman submitted Ahmed was a low-risk offender who should not be considered dangerous.
Judge's Remarks
But Judge Crowther disagreed, regarding both Ahmed and Shikel dangerous offenders who pose a high risk to women and young girls. Speaking to both defendants, Judge Crowther said: “The victim felt she was a tool for your depravity, a piece of equipment. You stripped her of her humanity... of the very essence of who she is. You have not won. Through her bravery she has been able to bring justice.” Addressing Shikel, the judge said: “You have shown no remorse. In fact you see yourself as a victim, acting as though you were only helping these girls. I am satisfied your offending shows us a mere snapshot of the way you choose to live. You are manipulative, persistent, and deceitful, using your business and your community to hide behind. You sought out young women through your various connections. You actively befriended vulnerable young women, driving around southeast Wales in the night, even on your own at times, which causes me great concern. You have shown no remorse, no responsibility, and no understanding of what you have done. You pose a high risk of serious harm to female children.” Turning to Ahmed, the judge said: “You are a married man with two daughters. Your youngest is struggling immensely – as is your wife. Your wife stands by you. You concealed your offending from her and maintained your innocence. You too are a dangerous offender. You immediately knew the victim was a child. You also pose a high risk of serious harm to female children.”
Sentences and Orders
Ahmed, of Stockland Street, Grangetown, and Shikel, of no fixed abode, Grangetown, were both given 16-year extended sentences as dangerous offenders comprising 12 years in custody and an additional four years on licence. Ahmed was given a 10-year jail term to run concurrently for two counts of rape and four years behind bars to run concurrently for sexual activity with a child. After eight years, both will be brought before the Parole Board who will consider if they are eligible to be released on licence. Both men were made subject to restraining orders for life in relation to the victim.
Crown Prosecution Service Statement
After the case, John Griffiths of the Crown Prosecution Service said: “The defendants targeted a vulnerable girl and plied her with drugs and alcohol so the sexual assaults could take place. Their offending was calculated and cold-hearted with no regard for the victim. The victim showed great courage in coming forward and speaking up against these men. Her strength in doing so allowed the Crown Prosecution Service to bring these abusers to justice. The Crown Prosecution Service takes all allegations of sexual abuse extremely seriously and is committed to bringing offenders to justice whenever our legal test is met.”
