Shop Worker Jailed for Grooming and Trafficking Girls
A shop worker who groomed and trafficked seven girls aged between 12 and 16 for sexual abuse has been sentenced to prison.
Bawan Harwe, 28, used social media under a false identity to contact his victims, offering money and e-cigarettes to gain their trust before committing rape and abuse.
His accomplice, Sharam Muhamadi, who assisted in facilitating the abuse, failed to attend the hearing at Sheffield Crown Court and will be sentenced at a later date.
Sentencing and Trial Details
Harwe, who has no fixed address, was sentenced to 29 years imprisonment by Judge Sarah Wright, who stated:
"The harm you have caused is of unimaginable proportions."
After a four-week trial, Harwe, an Iraqi national, was found guilty of eight counts of rape, two counts of meeting a child following sexual grooming, two counts of false imprisonment, and six counts of arranging and facilitating travel of another person with a view to exploitation.
He had previously pleaded guilty to one count of rape of a child under 13, three counts of making indecent images of children, and one count of possessing extreme pornography.
Background and Offences
During the trial, Harwe explained he worked in a convenience store in Hexthorpe and lived nearby in an attic room with two others.
He said he met Muhamadi in 2022 when Muhamadi worked at another shop in the area; they became friends and later lived in the same house.
The court heard Harwe targeted victims because of their age, supplying them with alcohol and drugs before raping or abusing them. The youngest victim was 12 years old.
"The impact of your offending upon the victims, their families and indeed the wider community has been devastating.
Their childhood and adolescence can never be reclaimed."
Harwe was ordered to serve 29 years in prison, followed by three years on licence after release.
There were audible gasps from the public gallery when the sentence was announced.
Details on Accomplice Muhamadi
Muhamadi, originally from Iran, was found guilty of two counts of arranging or facilitating travel of another person with a view of exploitation.
He was acquitted of two other counts of arranging or facilitating travel of another person with a view of exploitation and one count of rape.
Following the judge's instructions, the jury returned a not guilty verdict on one count of sexual assault.
Muhamadi ceased attending the trial partway through and was convicted in his absence, with a warrant issued for his arrest.
He had been remanded in custody between charge and trial start, according to South Yorkshire Police, but was granted bail after his defence team's application.
Under bail conditions, a surety of £19,000 was provided by Amin Haydar.
On Thursday, Judge Wright ordered Haydar to forfeit the sum within 28 days after Muhamadi failed to attend court.
Judge Wright stated she would allow additional time to apprehend Muhamadi, intending to sentence him later.
A police spokesperson said:
"A manhunt is currently underway to locate 21-year-old Sharam Muhamadi and we will not stop until we find him.
Our officers have been working relentlessly, exploring every single line of enquiry with determination to secure justice for the victims."
Background on Muhamadi
The trial revealed that Muhamadi arrived in the UK as an unaccompanied asylum seeker and was placed in social services care in Bradford.
He claimed asylum in 2021 at age 16 and was granted leave to remain in 2022, with a review scheduled for 2027.
In 2023, he relocated to Doncaster and began working long shifts in a shop.
Prosecution and Bail Details
A Crown Prosecution Service spokesperson commented:
"The CPS robustly opposed bail applications made by the defence throughout the court process.
Ultimately decisions as to whether to grant bail are made by the court."
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