Grooming duo sentenced to prison

Two men who groomed and exploited a vulnerable teenage girl have been jailed following a South Wales Police investigation.  

The Cardiff-based duo have been sentenced for crimes against a teenage girl in 2021. 

Azad Ahmed, aged 50, of Grangetown, Cardiff was sentenced to sixteen years in prison after being found guilty of two counts of rape a girl aged 13-15, one count of offender 18 or over engage in penetrative sexual activity with a girl 13 to 15, and one count of arrange or facilitate travel of another person with a view to exploitation. 

Wasee Shikel, aged 50, of Splott, Cardiff was also sentenced to sixteen years after being found guilty of arrange or facilitate travel of another person with a view to exploitation. 

In her personal statement, the victim said: “I am a victim, and my voice needs to be heard. The words feel inadequate to describe the living hell I endured. But I need you to understand the truth of what it has done to me, and what has come of me. 

“I was subjected to horrific things; my body was not my own. It was a tool for their depravity. They have stripped me of everything that made me human. I feel utterly worthless. A shattered shell of the person I once was. Because of them my mind is a constant battlefield of anxiety and depression."

As well as their sentences, both men have been made subject to restraining orders for life, in relation to the victim.

Detective Chief Inspector Geraint Higgins said: “I am pleased to see these sentences for the horrendous actions of these predators.  

“I would like to take this opportunity to put a spotlight on what grooming looks like and how you can spot the signs. Abusers often use distractions such as attention and gifts, making their victim feel special. Abusers may also warn them to not talk to anyone about these gifts.  

“The signs of being groomed aren’t always clear, but a pattern in behaviour can be a sign. Victims may have new clothes, phones, or money that they can’t or won’t explain where they have come from. They can become withdrawn or upset without any obvious cause. They can also go missing for periods of time and be secretive about their devices or how they’re spending time.  

“If you are worried about someone or are worried you may be a victim of grooming yourself, please reach out and we will take you seriously. If you are not comfortable in telling police, you can tell a trusted adult or support charities. 

“With that in mind, I thank and commend the victim for her courage and patience throughout this difficult process. Thanks to her bravery, two dangerous predators are now behind bars and unable to harm anyone else. If you are affected by this incident, please get in touch quoting reference 2100356462."

We never underestimate how difficult it is for survivors of sexual abuse to speak out and report.

But we hope cases like this one provide reassurance that victims will be listened to, treated with dignity and respect, and will be supported throughout the judicial process.

If you have been sexually abused, and you are not yet ready to report to police, please don’t suffer in silence. A wealth of information and details of support services can be found here.