Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp has launched a rare intervention condemning a seven-year jail term given to an Iranian national who raped a 13-year-old girl in a Croydon alleyway, branding the sentence a “disgrace”.
The Conservative MP for Croydon South spoke out after it emerged that Judge Antony Hyams-Parish at Croydon Crown Court had concluded the child victim had not suffered “severe psychological trauma” – a finding that influenced the sentencing decision. Sorosh Amini, 21, from Whyteleafe, Surrey, received the sentence in June after being found guilty of rape and sexual assault following the attack on 4 August last year.
In sentencing remarks released to The Sun, Judge Hyams-Parish told Amini: “I have concluded that whilst there is no doubt that she was caused psychological harm, I have concluded it falls just short of severe psychological harm.
‘Stranger Rape’ in Broad Daylight
The court heard how Amini approached his victim in broad daylight on North End Road in Croydon, persistently trying to engage her in conversation despite being repeatedly told to leave her alone. He then followed the teenager down the busy shopping street and into an alleyway, where the attack took place.
During the assault, Amini forcibly kissed the girl and attempted to put a cannabis joint into her mouth. He also told her he was friends with someone who had recently stabbed a person in the area, making the victim fear he might have a knife. He then raped her.
Mr Philp said: “Amini violently attacked a 13-year old girl in broad daylight in Croydon town centre. For the judge to give a lower sentence because she ‘allegedly didn’t suffer severe trauma as a result’ is a disgrace.”
The Shadow Home Secretary’s intervention highlights growing concerns about sentencing for sexual offences against children, particularly regarding how psychological harm is assessed by the courts.
Judge Rejects ‘Dangerous Offender’ Classification
Judge Hyams-Parish also decided not to classify Amini as a “dangerous offender” – a designation that would have allowed for a more severe sentence and extended licence conditions. This decision has added to the controversy surrounding the case.
Under current sentencing guidelines, rape of a child under 13 carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. The Sentencing Council’s guidelines state that sentences can range from 4 to 19 years, depending on the level of harm and culpability involved.
The guidelines explicitly note that “the sentence levels take into account a basic level of psychological harm which is inherent in the nature of the offence”. They add that whilst courts may be assisted by expert evidence, “such evidence is not necessary for a finding of psychological harm, including severe psychological harm”.
Crucially, the guidelines state: “It is important to be clear that the absence of such a finding does not imply that the psychological harm suffered by the victim is minor or trivial.”
Minimal Time Left to Serve
The sentencing structure means Amini will serve significantly less time than the headline seven-year term suggests. He was told he would serve no more than two-thirds of his sentence – four years and eight months – in prison before being released on licence.
As he has already been on remand for 11 months, Amini has, at most, three years and nine months left to serve behind bars. This early release provision has intensified criticism of the sentence’s leniency.
Detective Inspector Donnett Oseni, who led the Metropolitan Police investigation, had described Amini’s attack as “predatory and calculated”, adding: “He has demonstrated himself to be a dangerous sexual offender and this sentence prevents him from harming anyone else.
Police Manhunt After Escape Attempt
The court heard that Amini fled his London home the day after the attack, attempting to evade justice by travelling to Liverpool. Police used phone data and CCTV footage to track him down, arresting him five days later.
The investigation utilised extensive CCTV footage and specially trained forensic dogs to place Amini at the scene of the crime. He was convicted on 1 January following a two-week trial at Croydon Crown Court.
In addition to the prison sentence, Amini was issued with a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which places restrictions on his activities following release to prevent further offending.
Victim’s Courage Praised
Detective Inspector Oseni commended the young victim for her bravery in coming forward: “I want to commend the victim for her courage in coming forward and reporting this offence to us. I hope today’s verdict will bring her and her family some semblance of closure.”
The victim received safeguarding and support from specialist officers throughout the investigation and trial process. Under current law, sexual offence victims are granted automatic anonymity for life.
Political Pressure on Sentencing Reform
Mr Philp’s intervention comes amid broader political debate about sentencing for sexual offences, particularly those against children. As Shadow Home Secretary since November 2024, the former policing minister has been vocal about law and order issues.
The case has reignited discussions about how courts assess psychological harm in sexual offence cases and whether current sentencing guidelines adequately reflect the severity of crimes against children.
Legal experts note that sentencing decisions must balance multiple factors, including the offender’s age, previous convictions, and guilty pleas. In this case, Amini was 20 at the time of the offence and maintained his innocence throughout, factors that may have influenced the final sentence.
Broader Context of Sexual Violence
The case occurs against a backdrop of increasing concern about violence against women and girls. The Metropolitan Police has stated that tackling such crimes is central to their mission under the New Met for London Plan, which aims to deliver “More Trust, Less Crime and High Standards.
Statistics show that convictions for rape of a child under 13 have typically resulted in custodial sentences averaging between 11 and 12 years since 2013, making Amini’s seven-year sentence notably below average for such serious offences.
As the debate continues, the case highlights ongoing tensions between judicial independence in sentencing decisions and public expectations for justice in cases involving child victims of sexual violence.
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