Men convicted of raping girls in Plymouth

Duo enticed girls into their home

Two men are beginning long prison sentences for raping two girls in Plymouth.

31-year-old Abalzaq Salih and 32-year-old Saif Kahya will face 19 years and 12 years respectively behind bars after they were convicted of raping two girls and child sexual abuse offences.

It follows a police investigation which began after five victims came forward and disclosed there had been a series of house parties where young girls were lured to exploited through money, drink and drugs and were either raped or sexually assaulted.

Three out of four of the parties happened at the homes of the defendants and the victims were between 14 and 16 at the time.

Claire Brinton of the CPS said: “These two men knew these young girls could be exploited through drugs, alcohol and money. They were groomed and subjected to rape and serious sexual abuse.

“These defendants conducted a vicious and vile campaign of sexual abuse, in some instances multiple times against these victims, which must have caused life changing harm and trauma.

“We would like to extend a special thanks to the victims who came forward to report these crimes and gave evidence to a court about their horrific experience

“These prison sentences send a very clear message that the CPS, working alongside law enforcement, will relentlessly pursue justice and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, whenever that abuse took place.

“I encourage any victims of child sexual abuse and sexual violence to report the crimes committed against them. It is never too late to seek justice - you are not alone and there is help available.”