CONVICTED: MEN SENTENCED FOR GROOMING AND EXPLOITING 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL FOR DRUGS AND MONEY

Two men, Mohammad Rostami and Mehdi Zare, have been sentenced after being found guilty of grooming a 13-year-old girl, exploiting her with drugs and coercing her into sex for money. Rostami, aged 37, befriended the vulnerable girl when he was working in a takeaway. He initiated a sexual relationship and supplied her with drugs, including £10,000 worth of mephedrone discovered at his flat. The investigation revealed that Rostami and Zare manipulated her over a three-year period from 2006 to 2009, during which they exploited her addiction and forced her to have sex with other men in exchange for drugs and money. During their trial at Chelmsford Crown Court in October 2016, the two were convicted of child sexual exploitation and supplying drugs. Rostami was sentenced to 21 years in prison, while Zare received a 12-year sentence. Detective superintendent Mark Hall commented on the case, saying, "The victim impact statement read in court, makes clear the devastating effect these defendants had on a vulnerable child. I hope that these convictions will enable those affected to move forward." The case highlighted the widespread criminal enterprise involving drug supply and child exploitation in Essex.