TWO teenage asylum seekers have been jailed after admitting raping a teenager in a Leamington park.
A 15-year-old girl and a group of friends were in the town on May 10 when they met and started chatting with two 17-year-old boys.
The Afghan boys – Jan Jahanzeb and Israr Niazal – later asked the girl to join them on a walk and went on to rape her at Newbold Comyn.
Afterwards, the girl managed to flag down a passer-by who called the police.
Thanks to a combination of CCTV footage work and using photos the girl had taken on her phone during the day, police quickly arrested Jahanzeb and Niazal, who admitted the offence when they went before the youth court in Coventry.
Appearing at Warwick Crown Court for sentencing this week, the judge lifted reporting restrictions that had previously prevented Jahanzeb and Niazal from being identified owing to their age.
Jahanzeb, of Hereford Road, Leicester, was sentenced to ten years and eight months while the judge gave Niazal, of Clarendon Avenue, Leamington, nine years and ten months.
Both will start their sentences in a Young Offenders’ Institution and move to prison at a later date. The pair were also made to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for life and given an indefinite restraining order.
Det Ch Insp Richard Hobbs said: “This was a hugely traumatic incident, and I can’t speak highly enough of the victim for the bravery she has shown.
“Our specially trained officers have supported her since the start of the investigation, but understandably, it has been, and continues to be, an incredibly challenging time for both her and her family.
“Jahanzeb and Niazal went out of their way to befriend the victim with the intention of raping her. The length of their sentence reflects the severity of their crime and the need to protect the public from them.
“I hope this outcome will provide reassurance to other victims of sexual offences and give them the confidence to report, knowing police will listen and support them.
“We encourage anyone who has been the victim of rape or sexual offence to report it. We will always investigate thoroughly and sensitively, and do everything in our power to bring offenders to justice, getting the right result with a victim’s wishes in mind.”
