Three Afghan men filmed themselves laughing and celebrating in the back of a lorry after being smuggled out of the UK just three days after they raped a 17-year-old girl in Bristol. The footage, played in court, showed the men apparently believing they had escaped justice.
Footage Reveals Defendants' Mood
Prosecutor Edd Hetherington told the jury at Bristol Crown Court that the video, recovered from the phone of Mehrab Safi, 21, provided 'a direct insight into the mood of the three' as they traveled from the UK into France. In the clip, Safi films his friends Awal Ahmadzai and Salman Habibkheil, both 19, as they gesture and laugh. Ahmadzai is seen lying down on packages in the lorry. 'We suggest they are celebrating because they think they have got away with it,' Hetherington said.
The three men were discovered by French authorities soon after arriving in Calais and were returned to the UK, where they were immediately arrested on suspicion of rape. They went on trial alongside a 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons.
Convictions and Charges
The defendants denied all charges but were convicted as follows: Safi was found guilty of one count of human trafficking and two charges of rape. Habibkheil was convicted of one count of human trafficking and one charge of rape. Ahmadzai was found guilty of one charge of rape and one of assault by penetration. The 17-year-old boy was convicted of one charge of rape.
The attack occurred days after the girl met Safi while Christmas shopping with a friend in Bristol city centre. Safi groomed her on Snapchat, including asking for nude photos, before arranging a taxi to bring her to Bristol in the early hours of November 30.
Details of the Attack
At the property, the girl was provided with cigarettes and vodka before being raped by Safi and Habibkheil. After falling asleep, she was raped and sexually assaulted by Ahmadzai, and then raped by the 17-year-old boy. Later that morning, she was raped again by Safi. The girl told police: 'I just wanted to go home, I didn't feel safe, I just wanted to go home. I didn't like it. I just wanted to be at home.'
Safi, of St Werburghs, Bristol; Habibkheil, of Lockleaze, Bristol; and Ahmadzai, of Redcliffe, Bristol, were remanded into custody. The 17-year-old boy was released on conditional bail, including an overnight curfew, at an address outside the region.
Sentencing to Follow
Judge Michael Cullum told the adult defendants: 'To each of the defendants who are adults, you will receive immediate custodial sentences.' Addressing the youth, the judge said: 'Although you are 17 years old, you must expect to receive an immediate custodial sentence. Your lawyers will ask me not to send you to custody and I will consider those arguments.' They will all be sentenced on October 6.
