MOHAMMED ABBAS SENTENCED IN PETERBOROUGH FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES AGAINST 12-YEAR-OLD GIRL
In September 2014, a man named Mohammed Abbas was sentenced to a total of 12 years in prison after being convicted of serious sexual offenses involving a young girl in Peterborough.The case emerged as part of a broader initiative known as Operation Erle, a collaborative effort between Cambridgeshire Constabulary and Peterborough City Council aimed at tackling child sexual exploitation within the community.
Mohammed Abbas, aged 30 at the time, was found to have groomed a 12-year-old girl, establishing a manipulative and predatory relationship with her.
The grooming process involved persistent efforts to gain her trust and lower her defenses, ultimately leading to a disturbing incident in a local park where Abbas attempted to engage in sexual activity with her.
This act was part of a pattern of behavior that included driving her around in his black BMW and taking her to various houses for sexual encounters.
The girl, in fear and confusion, often did not return home for several days, raising concerns among her family and authorities.
The criminal investigation into Abbas's actions was initiated after the victim was identified during another ongoing inquiry.
The case initially went to trial in June at Peterborough Crown Court, but the jury was unable to reach a verdict, resulting in a mistrial.
However, a retrial commenced on September 22, during which Abbas was found guilty of multiple charges.
These included two counts of sexual assault on a girl under 13 by penetration, as well as two specimen charges of sexual activity with a child.
Following the conviction, Abbas was sentenced to 12 years for the sexual assault charges and an additional eight years for the sexual activity charges, with the sentences to run concurrently.
It was also announced that after serving his prison term, Abbas would be deported from the country.
His case marked him as the ninth individual convicted under the auspices of Operation Erle, which has resulted in a cumulative sentence of 101 years and nine months for various offenders involved in child exploitation cases.
Authorities indicated that further trials related to this operation are anticipated.
Detective Superintendent Gary Ridgway expressed his condemnation of Abbas’s actions, stating, “Abbas targeted and groomed a girl he knew to be underage for his own sexual gratification.
His actions have hugely disrupted this young girl’s life and will have a lasting effect on her.
She has shown great bravery in giving evidence against him at both trials in order that he be brought to justice, and hopefully the verdicts will help her start to move on with her life.” He emphasized the ongoing commitment of law enforcement to combat child exploitation, adding, “This is another example of how determined we are to tackle the exploitation of young people and will continue to work with partner agencies to identify those at risk and keep them safe from harm.” Additionally, Sue Westcott, the Executive Director of Children’s Services for Peterborough City Council, commented on the case, saying, “This verdict represents further proof that we, alongside the police, are working relentlessly to bring to justice men who prey on young people.
Once again, this is justice for a victim who had the courage to stand up in court and relive some very difficult experiences.
Without this, we could not have achieved this result.
We are determined to stop these crimes happening in our city and will continue to do everything in our power, along with the police, to prevent girls from becoming victims in the first place.”
