EDINBURGH TAXI DRIVER MOHAMMED ASHRAF SENTENCED FOR CHILD RAPE IN SHOCKING CASE
In a deeply disturbing case that has shocked the community of Edinburgh, Mohammed Ashraf, a 53-year-old taxi driver, was sentenced to five years and four months in prison after being convicted of raping a 14-year-old girl.The incident, which took place in November 2012, involved Ashraf luring the young girl into a flat in Edinburgh under the pretense of going shopping.
Instead, he subjected her to a sexual assault, an act that has left her family devastated and outraged.
According to court reports, Ashraf, who was considered a father figure to the girl, exploited her trust and innocence.
He initially told her he wanted to take her into Edinburgh to buy her something, leading her to believe they were heading out for a simple shopping trip.
However, he diverted her to an empty flat where the assault occurred.
During the ordeal, Ashraf was observed to have been looking through her phone, questioning her about photos and texts before beginning to molest her.
The young girl desperately tried to resist, telling him to stop and attempting to push his hands away, but he was too strong.
She expressed her desire to leave, warning him that her family would be worried about her absence, but her protests were ignored.
Following the attack, police responded swiftly.
When officers arrived at Ashraf’s residence, he was reportedly out working as a taxi driver.
He was subsequently detained and taken into custody.
Evidence collected from the scene included DNA samples, which confirmed his involvement—his DNA was found on swabs taken from the girl, and her DNA was present on swabs from him.
Despite admitting to some charges, Ashraf pleaded not guilty to threatening or abusive behavior, which involved repeatedly calling the girl and waiting outside her school, as well as threatening another female.
These pleas were accepted by the court.
In a subsequent court hearing in April 2014, Ashraf admitted to raping the girl and assaulting her orally.
The court also accepted his plea of not guilty to threatening behavior.
His legal team requested a background report before sentencing, emphasizing his status as a first-time offender.
However, the court decided to remand him in custody and deferred sentencing until June at the High Court in Glasgow.
Ashraf was also placed on the sex offenders’ register, reflecting the severity of his crimes.
Adding to the community’s outrage, Ashraf’s family expressed their disgust after he was sentenced.
The victim’s sister described his behavior as utterly disgusting, noting that Ashraf laughed and smiled during the sentencing, showing no remorse.
She remarked, “He was laughing and smiling.
He showed no remorse whatsoever.
It was like he had done nothing wrong.
The sentence wasn’t enough.
It basically says, it is okay to rape a child.” During the sentencing hearing, Ashraf’s defense argued that the shame and dishonor brought upon him by media coverage were worse than imprisonment.
Frances McMenamin, his lawyer, claimed that the publicity had devastated him, stating, “The shame and dishonour this brought him is perhaps a greater punishment than anything your lordship can do today.” However, Judge John Morris QC was unequivocal in his remarks, emphasizing the devastating impact of Ashraf’s actions on the young girl’s life and the severity of the crime committed in Edinburgh.
