Teenage asylum seekers sentenced after abducting and raping 15-year-old girl in Leamington

Two teenage asylum seekers from Afghanistan have each been given custodial sentences after abducting and raping a 15-year-old girl in Leamington Spa.

Jan Jahanzeb and Israr Niazal, both 17, face potential deportation and were mandated to register as sex offenders after their sentencing at Warwick Crown Court on 8 December.

Jahanzeb and Niazal had pleaded guilty to the attack, which happened in May, in a court hearing in October.

The court was informed that the two teenagers had lured the highly distressed young girl into a secluded part of Leamington Spa on 10 May, before pushing the victim to the ground and then sexually assaulting her.

Jahanzeb received a sentence of 10 years and eight months in youth detention, while Niazal received a sentence of nine years and ten months

The victim’s impact statement read: “The day I was raped changed me as a person. Every time I go out, I don’t feel safe. So much so that I’ve started to avoid it all together. This has also impacted my education and school life at the worst possible time.”

Jahanzeb received a sentence of 10 years and eight months in youth detention, while Niazal received a sentence of nine years and ten months.

Deportation papers have also been served to Jahanzeb, while the sentencing Judge De Bertodano invited the government to recommend deporting Niazal.

The teenagers will start their sentences at a young offender institution before moving to a prison at a later date.

The judge removed the reporting restrictions that had shielded the teenagers’ identities, to avoid speculation which might see innocent people being targeted.

She stated that the defendants had “betrayed” those who seek sanctuary in Britain and abide by the country’s laws. Jhanzeb and Niazal arrived to the UK from Afghanistan as unaccompanied child asylum seekers.

This has affected every aspect of [my daughter’s] life and anything that hurts one of us, hurts us all in our family

Victim’s mother

A statement from the victim’s mother said: “We have watched our vibrant, happy, and confident daughter shrink down and suffer with anxiety so bad [that] she is often physically sick.

“This has affected every aspect of [my daughter’s] life and anything that hurts one of us, hurts us all in our family.”

Video evidence taken by the victim was displayed in court and was described by the judge as “highly distressing”. In the video, cries and shouts for help were heard from the victim.

Another piece of video evidence that was observed by the court showed grainy CCTV footage of the asylum seekers walking on either side of the victim before taking her to a secluded grassy area and then raping her.

Warwickshire Police said the two teenagers had befriended the young girl with the intention of raping her.

DCI Richard Hobbs of Warwickshire Police said: “This was a hugely traumatic incident, and I can’t speak highly enough of the victim for the bravery she has shown.”