MOHAMMED RAHMAN FROM HARTLEPOOL AND LONDON SENTENCED FOR RAPE IN HOUSTON STORE
In December 2018, a disturbing incident unfolded involving Mohammed Rahman, a shop worker with ties to both Hartlepool and London, who was convicted of raping a teenage customer inside his store.The assault took place in a secluded, windowless upstairs area of his Cash Exchange shop located in Houghton.
According to court proceedings, Rahman, a married man and father, had previously interacted with the young girl in a seemingly benign manner.
He had repaired her phone free of charge and gifted her items such as widget spinners and headphones after she visited his shop a few weeks earlier to purchase a birthday gift for her mother.
Following this initial encounter, Rahman took an interest in her social media profile, sending her messages that described her as “beautiful,” which indicated a pattern of grooming behavior.
On the day of the assault, Rahman continued his manipulative conduct by offering the girl alcohol, including vodka and sparkling Martini, which he used to intoxicate her.
Witnesses described her as becoming visibly drunk after consuming the alcohol supplied by Rahman.
The court heard that Rahman then lured her into the upstairs storage area, where he attacked her while she was lying on a sofa.
Judge Amanda Rippon detailed the sequence of events, stating, “You went upstairs and told her to take her trousers off.
She said she was tired and wanted to go home.
You didn’t take ‘no’ for an answer.” The court was told that after the assault, the girl vomited and either passed out or fell asleep due to her intoxicated state.
When a customer entered the shop later, the victim was still on the sofa, unable to recall her exact age but able to state her name.
In her victim statement, the teenage girl expressed her profound fear and emotional distress following the attack.
She revealed that she now feels scared to go about her daily routine, worried that Rahman might return or harm her again.
She described feeling worthless and angry, emphasizing her loss of trust in others, especially boys, because of what Rahman had done to her.
Despite denying the charges of rape, Rahman was found guilty by a jury after a trial.
The court sentenced him to ten years in prison and ordered him to sign the sex offenders register for life.
It was also noted that Rahman’s wife, who is expecting a child, has stood by him throughout the proceedings.
The court acknowledged Rahman’s previous good character, but his actions have led to a severe legal consequence.
Rahman’s case highlights the dangers of grooming and predatory behavior, especially involving vulnerable young individuals.
The incident has left a lasting impact on the victim, and the legal system has responded with a firm sentence to reflect the gravity of his crimes.
