Peterborough grooming trial: Mohammed Khubaib jailed for 13 years

From the BBC and the Peterborough Telegraph

Predator Mohammed Khubaib showed no remorse as the Peterborough businessman was caged for 13 years at the Old Bailey.Following a trial, he was found guilty of forcing a 14-year-old girl to perform a sex act on him and nine counts of trafficking for sexual exploitation, involving girls aged from 12 to 15, between November 2010 and January 2013.

Khubaib was the tenth person to be convicted under Operation Erle, which focussed on allegations of sex abuse by other groups of men and boys against young girls. Four previous cases led to nine male defendants being jailed for 59 offences against 15 girls from Peterborough and elsewhere in the East Midlands.

Many of his victims were in court today to see him sentenced for his terrible crimes.

Judge Peter Rook QC, sentencing at the historic London court, said: “Your actions have had a profound effect on these young girls. Some have lost trust in people and ended self confidence, self esteem as a result of your conduct. . . No doubt you felt you were untouchable as you took the view there was no risk these girls would ever give evidence about these activities.”

He said in fact they had shown “great courage” in giving evidence, knowing that he was likely to “blame them”

The judge added: “You showed no remorse, no acknowledgement whatsoever as to the effect of your predatory conduct. Society is now far more aware than it was in the past of the serious psychological harm that such behaviour as yours can cause.”

Earlier, the court heard how the father of five still did not accept his guilt. But as a result of the case, Khubaib’s licences to run a restaurant and letting agency had been revoked by the council and both businesses subsequently failed.

“We are pleased with this sentence today as it represents justice for the girls and young women who suffered at the hands of this vicious criminal,” said Wendi Ogle-Welbourn, from Peterborough City Council.