TIPTON MEN MOHAMMED ISLAM AND MASUDUR RAHMAN SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULTS IN TORQUAY

In February 2014, two young men from Tipton, Mohammed Islam and Masudur Rahman, faced serious criminal charges after their involvement in a disturbing series of sexual assaults against two 12-year-old girls in Torquay, Devon. The incident unfolded after the tourists, who were on holiday with friends from the West Midlands, met the young girls on a popular beach in Torquay. The girls, both aged 12, falsely claimed to be 14, and their interactions with Islam and Rahman quickly escalated into inappropriate and illegal sexual activity.

Following their initial encounter on the beach, the two men left the shoreline with the girls and proceeded to a nearby location, Torre Valley Park. There, the situation took a darker turn as the two men engaged in sexual acts with the minors. The court was told that Islam and Rahman, both aged 19 and 18 respectively at the time, were tempted by the girls’ apparent innocence, which was partly due to their strict upbringing that had left them inexperienced and naive about such matters.

During the proceedings at Exeter Crown Court, it was revealed that both men had no prior criminal records and were considered respected members of their communities. Islam was described as a volunteer at a youth club, and Rahman was preparing to begin studies in economics and business at a university in London. Despite their otherwise good character, they admitted to serious sexual offenses. Islam pleaded guilty to two counts of assault by digital penetration and one sexual assault, while Rahman admitted to one assault by penetration and one sexual assault.

Judge Francis Gilbert, QC, sentenced both men to two years in a Young Offender’s Institution. Additionally, he ordered them to be placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life. The judge expressed his disapproval of their actions, stating, “You were both on a beach in Torbay and started chatting to these two girls who were strangers. There was some flirting, and you went with them to a rugby field near the railway station where they were both assaulted sexually. It was, to put it politely, a sordid sexual encounter. You both say they participated willingly, and I accept that basis of plea. I also accept they told you they were 14, but they were in fact 12, and they were complete strangers. Even if they had been 14, they were still under age, and you were aged 18 or 19 at the time.”

Prosecutor Miss Emily Pitts detailed the events, stating that the incident occurred on September 5 of the previous year. The two girls, aged 12, met the defendants on a beach in Torquay along with a group of friends. The girls lied about their ages, claiming to be 14, which facilitated the flirtatious interaction. The sexual activity took place in a nearby field, where Islam digitally penetrated both girls, who also engaged in masturbation with him. Rahman was also involved in digital penetration and was similarly masturbated by one of the girls.

Defense attorneys for both men emphasized their clients’ good character and immaturity. Sarah Buckingham, representing Islam, explained that his strict upbringing had left him naïve and ill-prepared for the situation. She described him as a young man of positive character who acted impulsively and immaturely, acknowledging that he posed no risk of reoffending. Buckingham stated, “He has done everything he can to correct what he did in September last year.”

Similarly, Rahman’s defense, led by Mr. Nicolas Gerasimidis, highlighted his good character and remorse. Gerasimidis noted that Rahman had been a voluntary youth worker in his community and was immature and inexperienced at the time. He emphasized that there were no aggravating features such as planning, alcohol, threats, or abuse of trust. Rahman was genuinely remorseful for his actions.

Earlier in December 2013, both defendants had admitted to sexual assaults on the same two girls during a visit to Torquay. They pleaded guilty to multiple charges, with Islam admitting to three sexual assaults and Rahman to two. The incidents had been reported after the girls complained to police about being assaulted in a park at the Torre Valley Sports Centre. Judge Gilbert ordered pre-sentence reports and warned that all sentencing options, including custody, remained open, reflecting the seriousness of their offenses and the need for appropriate punishment.