‘Evil’ rapist jailed for campaign of sex abuse against underage girl
AN “EVIL” man who raped and assaulted an underage girl while keeping trophy photos of her performing sexual acts upon him has been jailed.
Brahim Mohammed, 49, from Cardiff was sentenced to 21 years’ imprisonment at Cardiff Crown Court yesterday for a campaign of abuse against a girl who was under 16.
A trial found Mohammed guilty of two counts of rape, three counts of sexual activity with a child, one count of ABH, five counts of taking indecent photos of a child, and three counts of possessing indecent photos of a child.
The court heard Mohammed had sex with the victim on a number of occasions, including in a cinema seat.
He also raped her in a public park in Cardiff near the defendant’s home when he forced her to perform a sex act on him despite her struggles.
The defendant also took “trophy photographs” of his victim, which were later recovered by the police.
The court heard Mohammed became increasingly manipulative, jealous and violent towards the victim. His behaviour came to light after the victim’s grandmother discovered his number on the girl’s phone bill.
When confronted, he denied the abuse.
In a victim personal statement read out to the court by prosecutor Roger Griffiths, the victim said: “I’m stronger than I was but I still have terrible nightmares. I have been diagnosed with anxiety and depression and I took steps to end my life because I couldn’t bear the pain any more but with the support of my family I am much stronger.
“The police investigation was the hardest thing I have been through and the court process does not support victims, the trial took everything out of me. It scares me the effect Brahim has on me and I am not sure I will recover from the mental scars.”
She added: “No prison sentence will be good enough for what he did to me. Brahim has ruined my life. My physical wounds have healed but not my mental ones. He stole my teenage years and everything I should have experienced for the first time. Nothing scares me now because nothing worse than what Brahim did to me.
“Brahim is an evil person and I ask the judge to give him a sentence that reflects the sentence that has been passed on my life.”
In his sentencing comments, Judge Stephen Hopkins QC described Mohammed as a “despicable” person who would inevitably receive a long custodial sentence.
He said: “You treated her as a thing. A sexual object who you manipulated, controlled, assaulted and ultimately raped.”
He added: “One thing missing from this case is remorse and you continue to deny the allegations.
“I watched you in the dock as the trial proceeded and your behaviour was not only that of slightly amused indifference but I detected on occasion you were aroused when your victim recounted the sexual acts you had committed upon her.
“You are in my judgement a despicable man and you do not care about or sense the wrong you have done and the damage you have caused that young girl for your own sexual gratification. is You have stolen her innocence and adolescence, you degraded and humiliated her.”
A cheer and round of applause erupted from the public gallery as Mohammed, of Ferry Road, Grangetown, was given an extended jail sentence of 21 years. He was also made subject of a sexual harm prevention order and a restraining order prohibiting him from contacting the victim.
Speaking after the sentencing, Wendy Brady of the Crown Prosecution Service said: “Mohammed carefully and methodically groomed this child, leading to the sexual assaults. He knew the victim’s age and despite that he continued.
“The courage shown by this young victim in following the case through to its conclusion is commendable.”
Detective Constable Myfanwy Beaumont said: “Today’s sentencing reflects the horrendous crimes Brahim Mohammed inflicted on his victim over many years. She has shown immense bravery and courage throughout the police investigation and trial.
“The impact of the crimes left her with physical scars that have healed. However, her mental scars remain with her to this day. I am immensely proud of the victim for conducting herself in the way she has during our investigation and subsequent trial.”