DONCASTER PAEDOPHILE FOUND GUILTY OF RAPING GIRLS AS ACCOMPLICE STILL AT LARGE
Two men have been found guilty of engaging in child sexual exploitation involving seven girls aged between 12 and 16.One of the defendants, however, remains at large after failing to attend his trial.
Bawan Hawre, aged 28 and originally from Iraq, and Sharam Muhamadi, aged 21 and from Iran, both formerly residing on Hexthorpe Road in Doncaster, were convicted by a jury on Tuesday, June 9, after a four-week court trial at Sheffield Crown Court.
Muhamadi, who had been free on bail during the proceedings, chose not to attend the trial.
Restrictions previously placed on revealing his whereabouts have now been lifted, and South Yorkshire Police will soon issue a wanted appeal for him.
The criminal investigation started in August 2024 when one of the victims disclosed details during routine safeguarding procedures after being reported missing from her home.
She revealed she had been sexually abused by a man known as "Karo" and had also been in contact with another man named "Jack." Careful investigation helped authorities identify "Karo" as Hawre and "Jack" as Muhamadi.
The jury was told that both men initially contacted the girls via social media.
Hawre used a Snapchat account that advertised free cigarettes as a way to "filter and recruit victims." They then offered the girls vapes, e-cigarettes, and money before arranging face-to-face meetings.
The girls were transported between Barnsley and Doncaster to meet the men.
Hawre organized for the girls to travel to his flat in Hexthorpe, with Muhamadi paying for their taxis.
Prosecutor Claire Holmes told the court that the men deliberately "gave the girls alcohol and drugs to facilitate these offences," which dulled their senses and lowered their defenses.
Six of the girls had consumed alcohol and drugs before being raped by Hawre.
Holmes described the girls as "trapped" in Hawre’s flat with "no way to leave" and emphasized that "no one was coming to help them if they screamed." Holmes also stated that Hawre had "an intense interest in sex with underage girls," calling it "an obsession," and noted that none of the girls had given consent to the sexual activities.
Hawre was convicted of six counts of arranging or facilitating travel for the purpose of exploitation, one count of raping a girl under 13, four counts of raping girls aged 13 to 15, two counts of meeting a girl under 16 after grooming, and two counts of false imprisonment.
Before the trial, he had also pleaded guilty to one count of raping a girl under 13.
Muhamadi was convicted on two counts of facilitating travel with intent for exploitation.
He was acquitted of one count each of raping a girl under 13, raping a girl aged 13 to 15, and two additional counts of facilitating travel for exploitation.
The court was told that Muhamadi arrived in the UK as an unaccompanied asylum seeker, submitting a claim at age 16 in 2021 and being granted right to remain in 2022, with further review scheduled for 2027.
He moved from Bradford to Doncaster in 2023 and was employed working long shifts six days a week at a convenience store.
Detective Sergeant Jude Proffitt commented: “These girls have shown extraordinary bravery in testifying against their abusers.
They will continue to receive protection and support from our team, Barnsley Council, and other agencies.
We remain committed to identifying individuals at risk of child sexual exploitation and intervening early.
If you or someone you know has been affected by this kind of abuse, please report it to the police or trusted authorities.” Sentencing for both men is scheduled for Thursday, June 11, at Sheffield Crown Court.
