SOHAIL PERVEZ AND HASSAN SAMAD SENTENCED FOR RAPE IN ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Ashton-under-Lyne, two men were convicted and sentenced for the heinous assault of a 15-year-old girl. The incident took place in July 2012, during the early hours of the morning, when the young girl was walking alone in the town.

According to court proceedings, Sohail Pervez, aged 23, and his accomplice Hassan Samad, aged 26, were driving through Ashton-under-Lyne when they noticed the teenage girl walking on her own. Samad was behind the wheel of a silver Volkswagen Golf, and upon seeing her, he made a quick decision to turn the vehicle around. The girl, who was on her way to meet friends, was reportedly attempting to reach her destination when her mobile phone battery unexpectedly died, leaving her without a means of communication.

Samad then persuaded her to get into the car, claiming to be offering her a ride. She agreed, perhaps out of desperation or confusion, and was driven to a secluded area of wasteground. It was there that Pervez committed the assault, raping the girl in a brutal and cowardly act. The court heard that during the attack, Samad exited the vehicle but still played a role in aiding his friend. He moved a seat forward and passed Pervez a condom from the boot of the car, facilitating the assault.

Following the attack, the two men drove away, leaving the girl stranded and vulnerable in the isolated location. Her ordeal did not end there; she was later seen by a passerby who immediately contacted the police. The trauma inflicted on her was profound, and she has since been unable to walk alone or go out without fear. In a witness impact statement read aloud in court, she expressed her ongoing distress, stating that she no longer feels safe walking to school or meeting friends after the attack.

Pervez, who resides on Rose Hill Road in Ashton-under-Lyne, was sentenced to a total of thirteen years in prison—eight years for rape and an additional five years for assault by penetration. These sentences are to run concurrently. Hassan Samad, of Kenyon Street in Ashton-under-Lyne, received a six-year sentence for aiding and abetting the rape. Both men maintained their innocence throughout the trial, denying the charges. Notably, they were described as individuals of good character with no prior convictions.

Their apprehension came after a police officer identified a vehicle matching the description of the one used to pick up the girl several days later. The car was traced back to Samad, and Pervez was subsequently identified as the perpetrator of the rape. During sentencing, Judge Maurice Greene expressed his disapproval, stating that although the men claimed they were merely cruising and happened upon the girl, their actions were deliberate and predatory. The judge emphasized that the girl had not wanted to go with them and had made it clear she did not wish to engage in any sexual activity. Her being left stranded in an isolated area was a reckless and malicious act, with the judge noting the severe psychological impact on her, including a breakdown.

Detective Chief Inspector Jamie Daniels condemned the actions of the two men, highlighting their cowardice and the vulnerability of the young girl. He praised her bravery for giving evidence in court, which led to their convictions. Daniels reaffirmed the police’s commitment to protecting victims of sexual assault and urged anyone affected to seek help through Greater Manchester Police or St Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of community vigilance and the need to support victims of such traumatic crimes.