Understand
Men jailed for raping teenage girl after Snapchat grooming
Overview
Three Afghan nationals have been jailed for raping a 17-year-old girl at a house in Bristol after grooming her via Snapchat. The offenders—Mehrab Safi, Awal Ahmadzai, and Salman Habibkheli—fled the UK but were intercepted by French police in the back of a lorry. Safi received a 15-year prison sentence, while Habibkheli and Ahmadzai were each sentenced to nine years in a youth detention centre. A 17-year-old boy was also convicted of rape in connection with the case.
Key points
- Three Afghan men were jailed for raping a 17-year-old girl in Bristol.
- Mehrab Safi, 21, Awal Ahmadzai, 19, and Salman Habibkheli, 19, were found guilty of multiple offences.
- Safi groomed the victim over Snapchat after meeting her during Christmas shopping and paid for her taxi to Bristol.
- The three men attempted to flee the UK and were stopped by French police hiding in the back of a lorry.
- Safi was sentenced to 15 years in prison, and Habibkheli and Ahmadzai received nine years each in a youth detention centre.
- A 17-year-old boy was also convicted of rape in the same case but did not attempt to flee the country.