A 32-year-old Sudanese man is facing trial at Birmingham Crown Court after allegedly kidnapping a five-year-old girl from a Winson Green street and sexually assaulting her in his home, in a case that has shocked the local community.
Mohammed Abdulraziq stands accused of snatching the child from behind her mother’s back whilst she played on the street on 30 March 2025, before locking her inside his residence where the alleged sexual assault took place.
Dramatic Rescue by Community Members
The court heard harrowing details of how the girl’s mother frantically attempted to rescue her daughter after realising she had vanished. Prosecutor Tariq Shakoor told jurors that when the mother discovered her child was inside Abdulraziq’s house, she “picks up a piece of wood to try and smash the window” in panic.
“The defendant is plainly in that room with the child at this time,” Mr Shakoor said, describing the moment the mother saw through the window.
According to testimony, both the defendant and the five-year-old victim were found with their lower clothing removed to their ankles. The prosecutor alleged that Abdulraziq “appears to be bending towards the child, touching her shorts and trying to pull them up” when discovered.
The rescue involved multiple community members, with Abdulraziq allegedly punching a neighbour who attempted to enter through a window before two men successfully broke into the house and freed the child.
Child’s Testimony Reveals Trauma
Following her rescue, the young victim repeatedly told her mother “he hurt me,” the court was told. This statement formed part of the prosecution’s case against Abdulraziq, who was arrested by West Midlands Police on 1 April 2025.
The incident began earlier that day when Abdulraziq allegedly approached the mother whilst barefoot and made what prosecutor Shakoor described as a “sly” comment with “sexual connotation.” However, the woman did not understand as he was speaking in another language before returning to his home.
Previous Criminal Charges Raise Concerns
Court documents reveal this is not Abdulraziq’s first brush with the law. On 30 April 2025, West Midlands Police charged him with assaulting two people in Birmingham city centre, a case still pending. These additional charges include assault, attempted assault and criminal damage from an unrelated incident.
During his arrest for the abduction, Abdulraziq remained uncooperative, responding ‘no comment’ to police questions through an interpreter.
Serious Charges and Community Impact
Abdulraziq faces four serious charges: false imprisonment, false imprisonment with intent to commit a sexual offence, sexual assault, and assault. He has denied all allegations.
A spokesperson for West Midlands Police confirmed: “We’ve charged a man in connection with the abduction of a child in Winson Green. Mohammed Abdulraziq was arrested after the child was discovered at an address last Sunday (30 March).”
The case has drawn significant attention from Birmingham’s Winson Green community, where residents acted swiftly to intervene during the incident. Local sources indicate the police arrived “very quickly” after being alerted to detain Abdulraziq until formal arrest procedures could be completed.
Legal Proceedings Continue
Mr Abdulraziq is currently on trial at Birmingham Crown Court having been arrested by West Midlands police on April 1. The defendant appeared before Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on 1 April 2025, where he was remanded in custody pending the Crown Court proceedings.
The trial continues with prosecutors presenting evidence of the alleged kidnapping and sexual assault. The court’s decision, expected in late 2025, will likely influence future safety policies in Birmingham.
Broader Context of Child Safety Concerns
This case highlights ongoing concerns about child safety in Birmingham communities. West Midlands Police, which serves nearly three million people across Birmingham and surrounding areas, faces mounting pressure to address such incidents effectively.
The prosecution’s case relies heavily on eyewitness testimony from community members who witnessed the rescue, the child’s own statements, and physical evidence from the scene. Defence proceedings are expected to continue as the trial progresses.
The case underscores the importance of community vigilance and rapid intervention in protecting vulnerable children from harm. The swift action by neighbours and the victim’s mother potentially prevented a more serious assault from occurring.
As proceedings continue at Birmingham Crown Court, the Winson Green community awaits justice for a crime that has deeply affected residents and raised questions about child safety protocols in the area.
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Image Credit:
Queen Elizabeth Law Courts, Birmingham (24 Jan 2007) — photo by David Stowell, CC BY-SA 2.0
