Two men have been sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court for abducting and sexually assaulting an 11-year-old girl who had run away from home. Hamza Sharif, 36, and Sadak Ali, 28, both from Birmingham, targeted the vulnerable child after she disappeared, with the judge describing their actions as an "extremely serious" crime carried out by "opportunistic" offenders.
The victim, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, told the court during sentencing on Thursday that she continues to suffer nightmares and flashbacks from the ordeal. In her impact statement, she explained how the assault has fundamentally altered her life, saying:
"I thought the men would help me, but they did not. I still have nightmares and flashbacks. After this happened, I hated myself. What they did has changed my life forever and that will never change."
The victim also expressed ongoing fear about her safety, adding:
"I'm worried they will find me even though they are in prison."
How the abuse unfolded
Prosecutor Usha Shergill outlined how Sharif encountered the runaway child in Birmingham on the night of the initial offence. The 36-year-old, who had no prior connection to the victim, persuaded her to accompany him to his address by suggesting he would provide assistance. The girl, desperate and with no one aware of her location, accepted his offer.
Once at Sharif's house, Ali was present. The two men offered the child drugs, which she declined, informing her they had consumed cocaine. Ali then subjected her to what prosecutors described as "highly invasive and sexualised questions" and sexually assaulted her over her clothing.
The following day, Sharif and Ali told the victim she was being transported to the residence of "a woman, who could help" her. They provided her with an old hoodie to wear. However, a member of the public intervened at this point, recognising the situation and successfully extracting the child from the two men's custody.
What were the sentences?
Sharif was sentenced to five years imprisonment for child abduction, with the judge identifying him as "the driving force in the abduction." Ali received seven years on a concurrent jail sentence after being found guilty of both unlawfully detaining a child and assault by touching a child under the age of 13.
Judge Roderick Henderson emphasised the severity of the offences, stating that the pair had "isolated a vulnerable child for a significant amount of time." He noted that neither man attempted to contact police or other authorities to assist the child, and that Ali had targeted "a desperately vulnerable youth."
What was the defence case?
During sentencing, defence barrister Simon Williams presented mitigation for Ali, arguing that the 28-year-old had "experienced trauma" in Somalia, which had negatively affected his mental health. Williams contended that Ali had turned to alcohol and drugs as a coping mechanism for his psychological difficulties.
For Sharif, defence barrister Simon Burch, appearing by video link, submitted that the defendant had endured "various tragedies" in his life, including the deaths of his wife and uncle. Sharif appeared by video link from HMP Hewell in Worcestershire during the sentencing hearing.
Key facts
- The victim was 11 years old when she was abducted after running away from home
- Sharif and Ali offered the child drugs and subjected her to sexual assault
- A member of the public intervened and removed the child from the men's custody
- Sharif received five years for child abduction; Ali received seven years for unlawful detention and assault
- Ali must register as a sex offender for life; both men are subject to restraining orders
