Two men from Bradford, who behaved ‘like animals’ as they took it in turns to sexually abuse a vulnerable 13-year-old-girl in a city hotel, have each been jailed for 14 years.
Ismail Ali, of Wellesley Street, and Naheem Uddin, of Ashbourne Way, both 26, picked up the teenager after driving around the streets looking for sex on 18th April this year.
They took her to the Ibis Budget Hotel, on Canal Road, Bradford, where they subjected her to ‘vile and degrading’ rape and sexual abuse.
Sentencing the pair on Wednesday 7th September, Judge David Hatton QC said: “You took it in turns to abuse her and each of you behaved like an animal.”
Ali was found guilty of two offences of rape whilst Uddin, a father-of-three, was convicted of raping the girl and attempting to rape her.
The pair were also found guilty of being in possession of indecent photos after Ali took pictures which were sent on to Uddin’s phone.
Both men were cleared of kidnapping the girl and falsely imprisoning her, although Judge Hatton was quick to add that despite the teen going willingly with the now jailed duo: “she did not volunteer for the vile abuse and degradation that followed at your hands.”
Prosecutor, David McGonigal, added that the victim had self-harmed since she was attacked, felt isolated and was in need of strong emotional support from her family.
Judge Hatton commended the leading officer in the inquiry, Detective Inspector Jon Best.
“This has been, I have no doubt, from first to last a very difficult case for all concerned,” he added. “It involved great sensitivity and an extremely vulnerable victim.”
Following the sentencing, Det Insp Best said: “Uddin and Ali subjected their young victim to a horrific ordeal and we welcome the sentences they have been given.
“We would firstly like to praise her for her courage in reporting their horrendous crimes and enabling them to be put before the courts.
“We hope today’s lengthy sentences will give her some comfort and allow her to move forward.
“Police and partners in the Bradford District CSE Hub have supported the victim throughout the process and we hope this will encourage others like her to liaise with our specially trained officers, who will thoroughly and sensitively investigate all reports.
“Child Sexual Exploitation remains a priority for West Yorkshire Police. It is totally unacceptable and it is the responsibility of all agencies, communities and individuals to identify those responsible and help bring them to justice.”
