Men exploited vulnerable Sikh teenager, Leicester court told

Aabidali Mubarak Ali (39), Rakib Iacub (20), Wajid Usman (22) accused of exploiting Sikh teenager,  a Leicester court is told. The SAS has been helping the family and girl throughout the case.

ARTICLE FROM LEICESTER MERCURY

Three men exploited a vulnerable 16-year-old girl by offering her money for sex, a jury has been told.

The teenager was sometimes picked up from college and taken to flats or a guest house to act as a prostitute, Leicester Crown Court heard.

She shared cannabis and alcohol during several meetings, when a variety of sexual activity, including group encounters, was engaged in, it was claimed.

It is an offence to pay anyone under 18 for sexual services, the court was told.

Aabidali Mubarak Ali (39), of Guthlaxton Street, Highfields, Leicester, denies five counts of paying for the sexual services of a child, five of trafficking within the UK for sexual exploitation and one of facilitating child prostitution.

Rakib Iacub (20), of Maynard Road, Highfields, denies four counts of paying or promising to pay for sexual services of a child, two of facilitating child prostitution and one of trafficking within the UK for sexual exploitation.

Wajid Usman (22), of no fixed address, has pleaded not guilty to one count of paying for sexual services of a child and two of inciting child pornography, by encouraging the teenager send him indecent images of herself.

The jury were told three other men have admitted similar offences relating to the same girl.

Matthew Lowe, prosecuting, said: “She was emotionally damaged young woman with significant problems that pre-date these allegations.

“She smoked cannabis, drank alcohol to excess and self-harmed.

“These defendants and others took advantage of her vulnerability and knowing her age, or turning a blind eye to it, they’ve either promised to pay, or paid, for sex.

“They were prepared to overlook her vulnerabilities and her age to satisfy their sexual desires.”

By November last year, the girl was raising money by offering sex for £20 a time.

Mr Lowe said: “Between November 13 to early January this year, the sex that took place between her and the defendants occurred at various locations.”

He said a couple of encounters took place at a flat Kashmir Road, St Matthews, and a flat in East Park Road, above the Moghul Durbar restaurant, where Usman was then staying. He had worked on an informal basis at the restaurant, the court heard.

Mr Lowe said that over time the situation came to be known by the girl’s family and the Sikh community, of which she is a member.

“On January 14 there was an attack by members of the community on the Moghul Durbar restaurant,” he said.

Giving some background to the case, Mr Lowe said the alleged victim came into contact with the defendants after first meeting Iacub by chance at a Diwali festival.

They exchanged numbers and shared text messages.

She allegedly told him her age and let him know she would have sex for money, the court heard.

Iacub requested and received “a free sample” in Abbey Park, Leicester, which is not subject to any charge.

He then introduced her to Ali, it was claimed.

They both went to bed with her at a B&B in Saxby Street, Highfields, when Ali allegedly paid her £30.

Mr Lowe said: “She was then bombarded with texts and calls from men she didn’t know.

“Word had gone out there was a young girl prepared to offer sex for a low price.”

Ali allegedly picked her up and dropped her back off at college in his car after encounters.

The trafficking offences relate to her being driven to rendezvous for sex.

The jury was told that three other men, who pleaded guilty to counts involving the same girl at an earlier hearing, are Bharat Modhwadia (25), of Wycombe Road, Humberstone, Leicester, Hamza Imtiazali (25), of Kashmir Road, and Chandresh Mistry (37), of Berridge Lane, Belgrave, Leicester.

The trial continues.

Original Article – Leicester Mercury