A Syrian asylum seeker who raped a 12-year-old girl above a Birmingham shop where he was illegally working has been sentenced to 12 years in prison with an extended licence period. Mohammed Wahid Mohammed, 22, lured the vulnerable child with promises of food and safety before subjecting her to an hour-long ordeal in September last year.
Birmingham Crown Court heard on Thursday, 17 July that the defendant groomed the youngster with a vape, fizzy drinks and crisps at Villa Supermarket in Handsworth before locking her in an upstairs bedroom where he repeatedly raped her. Judge Roderick Henderson ruled Wahid Mohammed was a “dangerous” offender, imposing a 12-year custodial sentence plus an extended five-year licence.
The victim had run away from home on 24 September last year, boarding the first train that arrived at a nearby railway station. She arrived in Birmingham city centre around 8.30pm where a homeless woman, concerned for her welfare, walked her to Villa Road and the supermarket.
Andrew Wallace, prosecuting, told the court: “As soon as the defendant saw her he said: ‘You look really young. You look really cold do you want to come into the shop? It’s warm in there, I’ll get you something to eat and drink’.” He added: “Ironically, he told her it wasn’t safe on the streets. He coaxed her into the shop under the pretence of being concerned. Really he only had sex in mind.”
Wahid Mohammed, originally from Syria and residing on Lord Street in Walsall, told the girl to take items from the shop shelves. He then claimed he was fetching a “new drink” from a storeroom but instead led her to the upstairs bedroom where he had been sleeping. When he leant in to kiss her, the girl said “woah you know I’m only 12”, the court heard. Mr Wallace noted: “It’s quite plain at one stage she was pretending to be older.”
The defendant locked the bedroom door and subjected the child to multiple rapes during an hour-long attack. Following the assault, they went to a nearby takeaway where an Asian family became concerned about their interaction. One member of the family punched Wahid Mohammed, and the girl was ultimately returned to her home after a Facebook alert revealed she had run away.
Nicholas Devine, defending, said his client had led a “difficult life” but had never previously committed a crime. He confirmed the defendant’s girlfriend had decided to stay with him and provide support despite the conviction.
Wahid Mohammed had admitted two counts of sexually assaulting a girl under the age of 13 but was found guilty by a jury of three counts of rape. He initially claimed the girl had consented to sexual activity before being informed she was too young to legally consent. According to reports, he cried in the dock as he was sentenced.
Judge Henderson said: “This was a sustained event, albeit on one day. There was some grooming although it was limited in time. But you exploited her because she was plainly young and effectively away from home.”
The judge noted that whilst the question of deportation had been raised, it would be up to the authorities to decide at a later date whether the child rapist would be removed from the country following his sentence.
The case has raised serious questions about safeguarding vulnerable children and the employment of asylum seekers in unauthorised work. West Midlands Police have not commented on whether any action will be taken regarding the illegal employment at Villa Supermarket.
Child protection experts have emphasised the vulnerability of runaway children to predatory individuals. Sources familiar with safeguarding procedures noted that children who run away from home are at significant risk of exploitation and abuse, particularly in urban areas where they may encounter strangers offering apparent help.
The sentencing comes amid ongoing national debates about asylum seeker screening procedures and child protection protocols. Government officials have not yet commented on whether this case will prompt any review of current policies.
The extended licence period means Wahid Mohammed will remain under supervision for five years following his release from prison, with strict conditions attached to protect the public from further offending.
Follow for more updates on Britannia Daily
