GHAMER SULAYMAN FROM BIRMINGHAM SENTENCED FOR GROOMING AND RAPE OF TEENAGE GIRL IN TELFORD
In a case that has shocked the local community, Ghamer Sulayman, a 23-year-old man from Birmingham, has been sentenced to a decade behind bars for his involvement in the grooming, trafficking, and sexual assault of a 15-year-old girl.The disturbing events unfolded over a period of several months, during which Sulayman exploited the girl both online and in person, leading to a series of criminal acts that have left a lasting impact on the victim.
According to court proceedings, Sulayman first established contact with the girl in early 2016 through social media platforms.
The court heard that during this initial phase, he spent months grooming her, convincing her that she liked him and that she was willing to engage in risky sexual behavior.
The judge emphasized that Sulayman’s actions were devoid of genuine affection, highlighting the manipulative nature of his conduct and the profound damage inflicted upon the vulnerable teenager.
By July 1, 2016, Sulayman, along with several accomplices, arranged to meet the girl at her grandparents’ home in Telford.
From there, they transported her to Birmingham, where she was taken to a strange residence.
That night, she was subjected to alcohol and was coerced into performing sexual acts with multiple men, including Sulayman himself, who reportedly had sex with her twice that night.
The court was told that Sulayman used threats, telling her she would have nowhere to stay if she refused to comply.
Following this traumatic night, Sulayman abandoned her at a train station in Telford, leaving her to make her own way home.
Despite this, the two later met several times in a supermarket car park in Telford, where they engaged in consensual sexual encounters.
Court evidence revealed that on some occasions, other men were present, and Sulayman would pimp her to his friends in exchange for favors.
The victim was also given cannabis during this period, and when she objected to having sex with Sulayman while two other men were in the vehicle, he disregarded her protests.
Prosecutor Mark Heywood QC described Sulayman as the “leading light” in orchestrating the girl’s transportation from Telford to Birmingham for exploitation.
The court heard that she was coerced into engaging in unsafe and degrading sexual acts, with Sulayman playing a central role in her victimization.
The jury found Sulayman guilty of one count of rape and two counts of human trafficking.
He was subsequently sentenced to ten years in prison, with the sentences for each offence to run concurrently.
Judge Peter Barrie addressed Sulayman directly, noting that he had met the victim through social media at a time when she was struggling with her family situation, including issues with her mother and her grandparents, with whom she lived.
The judge stated, “What followed was a period of four or five months or so where you personally contacted her by phone or by social media.
I am satisfied that you had spent the previous months grooming her, persuading yourself that she would be willing to engage in wild sexual behaviour and getting her to believe that she liked you.” He further condemned Sulayman’s lack of genuine affection, emphasizing that no one with true care for her could have involved her in such acts.
The judge highlighted the victim’s remarkable courage in giving evidence during the trial, acknowledging the severe emotional and psychological damage she endured due to Sulayman’s actions.
“She was severely damaged by the way you treated her,” Judge Barrie stated.
While Sulayman was convicted of the primary charges, he was found not guilty of six additional counts of rape and one of human trafficking related to the same victim.
His legal representative, Mark George QC, pointed out that Sulayman was still young, with no prior convictions, and that he had married in 2018 and was expecting a child.
The court also imposed an indefinite sexual harm prevention order, prohibiting him from contacting the victim or any child under 16.
Two co-defendants, Ayad Hizam, 21, and Saleh Qasem, 20, were acquitted of all charges related to the case.
Hizam faced multiple counts of abduction and sexual activity with a child, while Qasem was charged with human trafficking and sexual assault.
The jury deliberated for approximately six and a half hours before reaching their verdicts on all three men, bringing some measure of justice for the young victim from Birmingham and Telford.
