Rapist jailed for trafficking and abusing girls in Doncaster

A man employed in a shop has been convicted and sentenced for grooming and trafficking seven girls aged between 12 and 16 for sexual exploitation. Bawan Harwe, aged 28, deceived his victims by contacting them on social media under a false identity, offering money and e-cigarettes to gain their trust before subjecting them to rape and abuse. Harwe’s co-accused, Sharam Muhamadi, who assisted in facilitating these crimes, failed to appear at Sheffield Crown Court for his hearing and awaits sentencing at a future date.

Judge Sarah Wright sentenced Harwe, who has no fixed address, to 29 years in prison, emphasizing the profound and devastating impact of his actions by stating, “The harm you have caused is of unimaginable proportions.” The trial, which lasted four weeks, revealed that Harwe, an Iraqi national, was found guilty of multiple charges including eight counts of rape, two counts related to meeting a child after sexual grooming, two counts of false imprisonment, and six counts of facilitating travel for exploitation. Prior to the trial, he pleaded guilty to one count of raping a child under 13, three counts of making indecent images of children, and one count of possessing extreme pornography.

During the proceedings, Harwe described how he worked in a convenience store in Hexthorpe and lived in cramped conditions with others. He mentioned meeting Muhamadi in 2022 while both were employed at neighboring shops, eventually living together. The court heard distressing testimonies about how Harwe targeted vulnerable young girls, some as young as 12 years old, supplying them with alcohol and drugs before abusing them. One victim recounted witnessing another girl being raped by Harwe after she had passed out from drinking, and explained she was coerced into complying to protect her friend, despite repeatedly pleading with Harwe to stop. Judge Wright highlighted the irreversible damage to the victims’ childhoods and the wider community, acknowledging the emotional devastation caused.

Muhamadi, a 21-year-old from Iran, was convicted in his absence of two counts of arranging or facilitating travel for exploitation but acquitted of other charges, including rape and sexual assault. Although initially remanded in custody, he was granted bail, which required a £19,000 surety provided by Amin Haydar. Following Muhamadi’s failure to surrender to court, Judge Wright ordered the surety to be forfeited and allowed additional time to capture him for sentencing. South Yorkshire Police confirmed that an active manhunt is underway to locate Muhamadi, stressing their commitment to delivering justice for the victims. The court also heard about Muhamadi’s background, including his arrival in the UK as an unaccompanied asylum seeker and subsequent asylum claim, as well as his employment history in Doncaster. The Crown Prosecution Service noted their opposition to bail throughout the trial, pointing out that bail decisions rest with the court

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