Concerns Raised by Local Schoolgirls on Hexthorpe Road
Two schoolgirls on Hexthorpe Road in Doncaster report that being offered vapes and alcohol by mini-mart workers is a common occurrence. They express fear about walking through the area, citing social media reports of local girls being targeted.
"It makes you scared," one of the girls said.
Harwe Sentenced for Child Rape
On Thursday, a local mini-mart worker was sentenced to 29 years in prison for raping six children in 2024. Bawan Harwe, a 28-year-old Iraqi national, lured underage girls to his flat on Hexthorpe Road with promises of free vapes and cash.
Sheffield Crown Court heard that Harwe specifically targeted victims due to their age, supplying them with alcohol and drugs before raping or abusing them. The youngest victim was 12 years old.
The BBC understands Harwe is seeking asylum, but the Home Office has declined to confirm his UK status due to legal constraints.
Co-Worker Fled Trial Amid Conviction
Sharam Muhamadi, an Iranian national and co-worker of Harwe, was convicted of facilitating travel for exploitation. Authorities have launched a manhunt after he fled during the trial.
Mini-Marts Under Scrutiny for Crime and Exploitation
This case has renewed attention on criminal activities linked to mini-marts across the UK. BBC investigations over the past 18 months have revealed the sale of cocaine and cannabis over the counter at such shops, alongside child sexual exploitation, money laundering, and immigration offenses.
Local Reaction to Crimes on Hexthorpe Road
Residents near Hexthorpe Mini Market, where Harwe and Muhamadi were employed, expressed horror but not surprise at the crimes. The street, located in one of Doncaster's most deprived areas, is lined with similar shops.
Locals report that crime in the area is driven by the sale of illegal cigarettes and vapes, a pattern seen in other UK high streets.
"I thought the area had become 'lawless'," said a local woman who wished to remain anonymous. She recalled confronting Harwe about illegal cigarette sales and threatening to report him to the police.
"Do you think we're scared of police?" he reportedly replied.
She believes the abuse would not have occurred without the presence of these mini-marts.
A local business owner, also anonymous, expressed disgust upon learning about the girls being drugged and raped. He reported illegal tobacco sales, underage sales, and anti-social behavior to Doncaster council.
Despite multiple raids on the shop, he noted that business resumed shortly after enforcement officers left.
"An hour after Trading Standards left they would start selling again 'straight away'," he said.
He expressed frustration that law enforcement had not shut down the shops.
Several residents confirmed repeated visits by police and Trading Standards to Hexthorpe Mini Market, with some witnessing sacks of illegal cigarettes being removed.
South Yorkshire Police acknowledged awareness of enforcement actions at the shop, while the City of Doncaster Council declined to comment on ongoing investigations.
Undercover Purchases Confirm Illegal Sales
Undercover researchers purchased a packet of 20 counterfeit cigarettes for £4 inside Hexthorpe Mini Market. Illegal tobacco was also bought from another mini-mart on the same street.
Investigation Reveals Links to 'Karzan'
During the trial, the jury heard that a man known as "Karzan" arranged employment and accommodation for Harwe and Muhamadi in a nearby flat. Locals and shop workers on Hexthorpe Road frequently mentioned this name, though it does not appear on official premises documentation.
Karzan Hussein is registered with two other businesses on Hexthorpe Road and was granted an alcohol license by Doncaster Council in May.
In a phone interview with the BBC, Hussein confirmed he provided jobs and rented rooms to Muhamadi and Harwe but denied current involvement with Hexthorpe Mini Market. He also denied knowledge of illegal tobacco sales or any connection to the abuse.
There is no evidence Hussein was aware of the abuse occurring on the street.
Broader UK Context of Mini-Mart Related Abuse
BBC investigations across the UK have uncovered other instances of mini-mart and vape shop workers abusing children.
In March, reports emerged of a senior council worker repeatedly alerting West Midlands authorities about sexual abuse of children as young as 11 on high streets.
Intelligence briefings from 2019 to 2024 indicate children were at risk of sexual abuse after being offered drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes in mini-marts.
"Shops have been a disturbing blind spot for police and councils' Trading Standards departments," said David Greenwood, a solicitor representing survivors of grooming and sexual abuse.
He advocates for the government's independent inquiry into grooming to include a focus on high-street shops.
Government Response and Community Impact
Following the BBC's investigations, the government announced a legal change to facilitate the closure of shops selling illegal goods. This has been welcomed by Trading Standards teams.
However, in areas like Hexthorpe Road, where businesses have been established for decades, there is skepticism about the ability to remove criminal gangs from the streets.
Several locals reported that one mini-mart on the street now sells prescription medications, including antidepressants, pregabalins, and the weight loss drug Mounjaro.
"So many good customers we used to have, all moved away because of this nuisance in Hexthorpe right now," said a local business owner. "This community was destroyed a long time ago."
Additional Reporting
Additional reporting by Brij Patel and Phill Edwards.
