HEWAD SHIVZAD SENTENCED FOR RAPE IN STOCKTON AND TEESSIDE
In February 2019, a disturbing case unfolded involving Hewad Shivzad, a man from Stockton, who was convicted of sexually assaulting a primary school-aged girl.The heinous incident took place after Shivzad, who falsely claimed to be 19 years old, lured the young girl away from her surroundings by isolating her and exploiting her innocence.
The assault lasted between 30 to 40 minutes, during which Shivzad ignored her desperate pleas to stop, forcing himself upon her in a manner that left lasting emotional scars.
Teesside Crown Court heard harrowing details of the attack, emphasizing the vulnerability of the victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons.
The court was told that the girl was a charming, innocent, and kind-hearted child, making her an easy target for such a predatory act.
Prosecutor Aisha Wadoodi highlighted her vulnerability, underscoring the gravity of the crime.
During the proceedings, a heartfelt statement from the girl’s mother was read aloud, revealing the profound impact the assault had on her daughter and their family.
The mother expressed deep concern that her daughter’s life might be permanently altered, describing her daughter’s subsequent anger, violent tendencies, and self-harming behaviors.
She conveyed her family's ongoing struggles, stating, “We are really struggling as a family,” and shared her fears that her daughter might be suffering from depression, which she desperately seeks help for.
The mother further expressed her own emotional distress, saying, “I’m also suffering depression.
I feel distraught about what has happened to (my daughter) and our family.
I feel that this has ruined our lives.
We need help and justice.” She also voiced her desire to relocate to escape the trauma but felt unable to do so, highlighting the profound and lasting effects of the crime.
Hewad Shivzad, who was present at the sentencing via video link from Durham Prison, denied the allegations, claiming he was innocent of the rape and sexual assault charges.
He attempted to justify his actions by alleging that the young girl was a “cunning actress,” a claim that the court dismissed as part of his effort to evade responsibility for his sickening behavior.
Following a trial, a jury found Shivzad guilty of the charges.
The court was informed that he had falsely claimed to be 19 years old, a statement the judge, Howard Crowson, did not believe.
The judge expressed skepticism about Shivzad’s claimed age, suggesting he was significantly older, possibly over 21, and criticized his attempt to present himself as a young man to gain asylum when he entered the UK in March 2017.
Judge Crowson sentenced Shivzad to 15 years in prison, with an additional year of supervised release.
The Parole Board will determine whether he can be released after serving half of his sentence.
The judge also addressed the issue of Shivzad’s age, stating, “He claims to be 19.
I don’t believe him.
If he were 19, he should be in a young offenders’ institution.
My view is he should be in prison.
He’s obviously older than 21.” Furthermore, Shivzad was subjected to a sexual harm prevention order, which prohibits him from having unsupervised contact with anyone under 16.
He was also given a restraining order that bans him from contacting the victim or two other individuals, as well as discussing them on social media, both orders being indefinite.
Additionally, he will be registered on the sex offenders’ register for life and faces potential deportation to Afghanistan, depending on the outcome of immigration proceedings.
