Seven Afghan nationals have been charged with rape and child sexual abuse offences as part of an investigation into group-based child sexual exploitation in Norwich, Norfolk police have confirmed. The men are accused of committing sexual offences between August 2023 and May 2025.
Defendants' Background and Arrests
Police revealed that five of the men entered the United Kingdom via small boats, one concealed himself in a lorry, and the seventh attempted to enter clandestinely through Portsmouth ferry port. The defendants appeared before Norwich magistrates court on Friday, where they were remanded in custody until a plea hearing at Norwich crown court scheduled for 19 June.
Superintendent Craig Miller stated: “I know this news will be shocking to our communities. This type of case is very upsetting, and I want people living and working in Norwich, as well as the wider communities of Norfolk, to know that we will do everything possible to protect children from abuse and exploitation.”
Charges and Defendants
The Crown Prosecution Service detailed the charges against each defendant:
- Jamil Khalil, 20, of High Street, Dumbarton, Scotland: seven counts of rape, one count of human trafficking, and one count of conspiracy to commit child sexual abuse.
- Ahmadin Ahmadzai, 21, of Pottergate, Norwich: nine counts of rape, one count of human trafficking, two counts of conspiracy to commit child sexual abuse, and one count of perverting the course of justice.
- Qais Kaker, 20, of Black Horse Opening, Norwich: four counts of rape, one count of human trafficking, two counts of conspiracy to commit child sexual abuse, and one count of perverting the course of justice.
- Fazal Auryakhel, 20, of Eleanor Road, Norwich: one count of rape.
- Mohammed Farooq Sinwary, 23, of St Benedict’s Street, Norwich: two counts of rape.
- Ali Ahamad, 21, of Barnards Yard, Norwich: one count of rape and three counts of human trafficking.
- Sayed Wahid Daviodzai, 20, of St Benedict’s Street, Norwich: four counts of rape and one count of conspiracy to commit child sexual abuse.
Investigation Details
Norfolk police executed raids at seven addresses on Wednesday—six in Norwich and one in Dumbarton, Scotland—leading to the seven arrests. Additionally, the Irish police force, Garda Síochána, arrested an eighth suspect in Ireland shortly after 7am on Friday 22 May. Legal processes are underway to seek the 19-year-old man’s return to the UK.
The charges relate to two alleged victims, who were aged in their early to mid-teens at the time of the offences. Norfolk police confirmed that none of the charged men have lived at asylum hotels in Norfolk, and none of the alleged offending occurred in such hotels.
Detective Superintendent Stacey Murray, leading the investigation, said: “I want to reassure everyone that we are being meticulous in our approach to this investigation.” Officers are encouraging anyone with information to come forward.
Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, Natalie Fleet, commented: “These are hideous cases and the fact that the suspects arrived through illegal routes only underlines their shocking nature.”
Jenny Hopkins, Chief Crown Prosecutor for the CPS’s Organised Child Sexual Abuse Unit, stated: “The Crown Prosecution Service has decided to prosecute seven men with rape and child sexual abuse charges for alleged offending during August 2023 to May 2025 – following a Norfolk police constabulary investigation into organised grooming gang activity in the county. Our prosecutors have worked to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring the case to court and that it is in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings.”
