Two Afghan teen asylum seekers have been sentenced to youth detention and face likely deportation after they abducted and raped a 15-year-old girl in Leamington Spa.
Jan Jahanzeb and Israr Niazal, both aged 17, led the “highly-distressed” victim away from her friends near the town centre to a secluded parkland area in May this year. At Warwick Crown Court, Judge Sylvia de Bertodano told the pair they ignored the girl’s “vigorous protests” and that their actions “changed her life forever.”
“No child should have to suffer the ordeal that she suffered. It’s clear from the footage we have seen that no one can seriously entertain the thought that you believed she was consenting,” the judge stated. “You both knew perfectly well that what you were doing was criminal and wrong,” she added.
Afghan Teen Secluded Park Attack and Distressing Evidence
Prosecutor Shawn Williams explained that the defendants, both unaccompanied child asylum seekers who arrived in the UK last year, befriended the victim with the intention to rape her. CCTV footage showed them leading her against her will to a “bushy den-type area – a really secluded location.”
According to the victim, she was then pushed to her knees before being raped. Police found a “highly distressing” phone video in which the victim screamed for help, only for Jahanzeb to place his hand over her mouth.
“The prosecution case is that it was probably Jahanzeb that did that, but what is certain is that Israr Niazal was present and participating,” Mr Williams told the court.
Sentencing and Deportation for Leamington Rapists
Judge de Bertodano lifted reporting restrictions to name the defendants, saying they had “betrayed” those who come to Britain seeking sanctuary and obey the law. Both had pleaded guilty to rape at an earlier hearing.
Jahanzeb, who has already been served with deportation notification papers, was sentenced to 10 years and eight months in youth detention. Niazal, who may also be deported, received nine years and ten months.
They will start their sentences in a young offenders’ institution and must register as sex offenders indefinitely.
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Detective Chief Inspector Richard Hobbs said the offenders “went out of their way to befriend the victim with the intention of raping her.
“The length of their sentence reflects the severity of their crime and the need to protect the public from them.” The judge also praised the victim as “beyond brave” for attending court when the pair had initially intended to plead not guilty.
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