MAHMOOD RAUF NAWAZ SHARIF: CHESHAM AND AMERSHAM SEX OFFENDER SCANDAL REVEALED

In a disturbing case that has shocked the communities of Chesham and Amersham, four men have been convicted of a series of heinous sexual offences committed against a 14-year-old girl. The court proceedings, which culminated in sentencing on June 27 at Reading Crown Court, detailed the extent of the abuse and the criminal actions of Nazakat Mahmood, Ghulfaraz Nawaz, Omar Sharif, and Haroon Rauf.

These men were found guilty of a total of 19 sexual offences that took place between December 2011 and July 2012, a period during which the young victim was only 14 years old. The court heard that Mahmood, aged 28 and residing on Batchelors Way in Chesham, was identified as the 'ring leader' of the group. Judge Cutts, QC, sentenced Mahmood to a total of 14 years in prison, with a reduction of six months to account for his curfew. His convictions included seven counts of sexual activity with a child and two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. During the sentencing, Mahmood reacted with swearing and kicked the wall in frustration.

Ghulfaraz Nawaz, 27, of Benham Close in Chesham, received a six-year sentence, which was reduced to five and a half years due to his six days on a tag curfew. His convictions involved two counts of sexual activity with a child. Nawaz was sentenced via video link from HM Prison Woodhill in Milton Keynes, and the court acknowledged that his time on curfew contributed to his sentence.

Haroon Rauf, aged 30 and from Drakes Close in Amersham, was sentenced to six years for two counts of sexual activity with a child. Additionally, he received a six-month sentence for assault by beating, with the two sentences to run consecutively, resulting in a total of six years in prison. Rauf was dressed in a black suit and white shirt during the proceedings.

Omar Sharif, 26, of Brockhurst Road in Chesham, was sentenced to four years for one count of sexual activity with a child and eight years for five additional counts of sexual activity. These sentences are to run concurrently, meaning he will serve a total of eight years. During the trial, Sharif had previously denied the allegations, claiming the girl was a liar, but later admitted guilt.

Judge Cutts emphasized the severity of the crimes, stating, “These cases are so serious that the only sentence can be custodial justice. The impact on the victim has been substantial. She dropped out of school, missed her teenage years, and now fears human relationships. I hope she can find a way to move forward.”

All four men were informed that they would serve half of their sentences in prison before being released on licence. They were also placed on the sexual offences register, barred from working with children, and prohibited from contacting any children under 16 without guardian consent until further orders. The court highlighted that all four men had previous convictions, including Mahmood, who had a prior sexual assault conviction from May 2011, involving groping a stranger outside a railway station.

The convictions followed a three-week trial during which the court heard how the men forced the girl to perform sexual acts and pressured her into having sex multiple times. After Mahmood, Nawaz, and Rauf were arrested, Sharif contacted the girl and threatened to undermine her statement. He then blackmailed her into having sex with him, meeting her in Chesham Cemetery in the middle of the night while she was in her pyjamas.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Natalie Golding from Aylesbury Major Crime expressed her condemnation of the offenders’ actions, stating, “This was abuse of a young vulnerable girl in the most horrific way. All four men used this girl and then denied the offences when she came forward. I want to thank her for her bravery in helping us bring these men to justice. Hopefully, this case will encourage other victims to come forward and seek help.”

Details of the convictions include: Mahmood’s seven counts of sexual activity with a child and two counts of inciting a child; Nawaz’s two counts; Rauf’s two counts of sexual activity and one assault by beating; and Sharif’s six counts. The court scheduled their sentencing for May 16, and the case continues to unfold as further legal proceedings are anticipated.