MOHAMMED NAJIB CAUGHT IN DERBY SEXUAL EXPLOITATION SCANDAL INVOLVING TEEN GIRLS
In a case that has shocked the Derby community, Mohammed Najib, a 50-year-old man from Salisbury Street, Derby, was recently brought before Derby Crown Court on charges related to the sexual abuse of underage girls.The incident dates back to 2010, when two teenage girls, both aged 15 at the time, were exploited by Najib, who paid them for sex on multiple occasions.
The court heard that the girls had shown remarkable bravery by assisting Derbyshire police in their investigation, despite the traumatic ordeal they endured during the legal process.
Judge Jonathan Gosling commended the girls for their courage, emphasizing the difficulty they faced in giving evidence against Najib.
The judge stated, "They have both shown extreme courage and fortitude.
It has gone back many months and, against that background, there is the ordeal they had to go through in giving evidence." The jury at Derby Crown Court reached a unanimous verdict that Najib paid for sexual services from a minor on seven separate occasions in 2010.
However, due to his mental health issues, the court was unable to convict him of the charges in the usual manner.
Instead, the court was informed that Najib is likely to be detained in a secure hospital following psychiatric assessments.
The court scheduled his sentencing for October 11, and it was indicated that he might be subject to a hospital order.
Najib did not attend the four-day trial, which added to the complexity of the case.
During the proceedings, one of the girls explained that she initially believed it was legal to sell sex from the age of 16, and she had provided that age to some of the men involved.
She clarified, however, that Najib eventually realized she was only 15 when they argued over a lost mobile phone.
Following this argument, they engaged in sexual activity once more in Najib’s vehicle, parked off the A52.
The girl later provided police with part of the vehicle’s registered number.
The second girl also admitted to selling sex at the age of 15.
She identified Najib as one of her clients and provided a mobile phone number registered to his address.
The investigation, known as Operation Kern, was launched in July 2010 after concerns arose about teenage girls seen on the streets at night, some of whom were in care.
Derby City Council collaborated with police during the investigation, which identified 15 girls involved in the case.
Seven of these girls chose to participate in the prosecution, with five being victims and two serving as witnesses.
Detective Superintendent Andy Stokes, who heads Public Protection, highlighted the vulnerability of the girls and the grooming tactics used by the men involved.
He stated, "These girls were young and vulnerable and were exploited by men who groomed them and bought them presents to keep them on-side.
They showed tremendous bravery in coming forward and speaking to police and by providing vital evidence to ensure these convictions." Stokes also emphasized the close cooperation between Derby police and other agencies throughout the investigation.
A representative from the Derby Safeguarding Children Board expressed their support, saying, "We commend the successful outcome and also the bravery of the young people involved.
Tackling this form of child abuse continues to be a priority for the Derby Safeguarding Children Board.
The outcome shows the success in detecting and disrupting child sexual exploitation." In addition to Najib’s case, eight other men have already been sentenced for similar offenses.
These individuals received sentences ranging from four to seven years in prison, and they are now banned from working with children for life.
They have also been placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register.
The investigation, dubbed Operation Kern, uncovered a disturbing pattern of grooming, exploitation, and sexual abuse involving multiple offenders in the Derby area.
Among those convicted are Stefan Godfrey, 44, of George Street, Pinxton, who received a six-year sentence for paying a 15-year-old girl for sex, knowing or believing she was underage.
Anthony Lambert, 51, of Warren Street, Derby, was sentenced to six years after paying the same girl twice.
John Shaw, 54, of Kniveton, received nearly five years for paying a girl twice for sexual activity.
Mark Adaoui, 40, of Carlton Road, Derby, was jailed for seven years for paying a girl to perform a sex act on two occasions.
Ijaz Ahmed, 35, of Becher Street, Derby, was sentenced to six months after paying two different girls for sex when they were both 15.
Colin Simpson, 55, of Old School Lane, Cresswell, Worksop, was jailed for four years after admitting to paying for sexual services of a 15-year-old girl on three occasions.
Lastly, Ian Yeoman, 49, of Mortimer Street, Derby, received four years and eight months for paying for sexual services of two girls and possessing indecent images of children.
The collective sentences underscore the seriousness with which Derby authorities are tackling child sexual exploitation and grooming networks in the region.
