YASIR ALI AND DAAIM ASHRAF FROM PETERBOROUGH SENTENCED FOR GROOMING AND SEX OFFENCES INVOLVING TEENAGE GIRLS

In a series of disturbing criminal cases that have shocked the communities of Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, two young men were found guilty of heinous sex offences involving underage girls, with their crimes primarily carried out through social media platforms and text messaging services. The offenders, Yasir Ali and Daaim Ashraf, targeted vulnerable teenage girls, some as young as 13, in a calculated campaign of grooming, exploitation, and abuse that spanned several years.

Yasir Ali, aged 28 and residing on Grange Road in Peterborough, was sentenced to a lengthy term of 20 years imprisonment at Cambridge Crown Court. His conviction followed a detailed investigation into a five-year period during which he engaged in a systematic campaign of sexual abuse against young girls. The court heard that Ali's actions included multiple counts of rape, trafficking, possession of indecent images, and other sexual offences. Despite being convicted on 24 charges, he was acquitted of one rape charge. The jury deliberated for more than 14 hours before reaching a verdict, underscoring the severity and complexity of the case.

Alongside Ali, Daaim Ashraf, a 19-year-old resident of Almoners Lane in Peterborough, received a sentence of 12 years in a young offenders institution. Ashraf was convicted of nine charges, which included trafficking offences, sexual assault, and sexual activity with a minor. During the trial, Ashraf notably reacted by laughing and raising a finger at the press bench after his conviction, a gesture that drew attention to the emotional toll of the proceedings.

The crimes took place between 2008 and 2013, involving eight teenage girls, with the youngest victim being only 13 years old. The court heard that the victims were lured from their homes in Peterborough, Lincolnshire, and Rutland, then taken to secluded locations where they were subjected to abuse. Police investigations revealed that some victims were assaulted at a hotel in Peterborough during January and February of the previous year, with one girl being filmed on a mobile device during the abuse. Other victims were raped in cars at Ferry Meadows in 2008 and 2010, and one girl was assaulted in an alleyway in Stamford.

The trial, which commenced in March, detailed how the offenders used Facebook, Blackberry Messenger, and text messages to groom their victims. Prosecutor Patricia Lynch described how the girls were plied with alcohol and manipulated into feeling special, which facilitated their exploitation. The police confirmed that the grooming process was systematic and targeted vulnerable teenagers, with the offenders exploiting their trust and innocence.

In addition to the convictions of Ali and Ashraf, the police revealed that five other men had been previously convicted at the Old Bailey in February for similar offences committed in Peterborough, highlighting a pattern of grooming and abuse in the area. The police and local authorities expressed their commitment to tackling such crimes, emphasizing the importance of protecting young people from exploitation. Det Supt Gary Ridgway of Cambridgeshire Police stated, “The girls were targeted due to their vulnerability and groomed via social media. They were made to feel special.”

Furthermore, Sue Westcott, the executive director of children’s services at Peterborough City Council, described the victims’ experiences as “horrendous” and “traumatic,” reaffirming the community’s resolve to work closely with law enforcement to prevent similar crimes in the future and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice. The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by online grooming and the importance of vigilance in safeguarding vulnerable youth in the Peterborough area.