Daaim Ashraf

Two men, Yasir Ali and Daaim Ashraf, were convicted at Cambridge Crown Court on 20th May 2014 of trafficking young girls for sexual exploitation in Peterborough. Daaim Ashraf, 19, from Almoners Lane, Peterborough, was found guilty on nine charges: five counts of trafficking for sexual exploitation, one count of sexual assault, one count of sexual activity with a child, one count of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, and one count of intimidation. The convictions arose from an eight-week trial detailing how Ashraf and Ali groomed eight vulnerable girls through social media, exploiting their trust before committing severe sexual abuses.

The abuses spanned multiple years, with major events in January and February 2013 at a Peterborough hotel, affecting six girls aged as young as 13, who were given alcohol prior to the assaults. Additional incidents included a rape in a Stamford alleyway and disclosures of rapes in cars at Ferry Meadows in 2008 and 2010. Operation Erle, conducted jointly by Cambridgeshire Constabulary and Peterborough City Council’s Children’s Services, launched in January 2013 following an information trawl identifying at-risk girls and a Rutland Social Care referral regarding a hotel rape. CCTV from the Day’s Inn in Haddon was crucial in identifying more victims and perpetrators.

Ali was cleared of an additional 2008 rape charge, and co-defendant James Daly, 25, was acquitted of rape. After 14 hours and 37 minutes of deliberation, the unanimous jury verdict was delivered by seven women and five men. This prosecution echoes an earlier 2014 Old Bailey case where five offenders received 54 years combined for similar crimes against minors.

Detective Superintendent Gary Ridgway stated: “The girls were targeted due to their vulnerability and groomed via social media. They were made to feel special. These men preyed on their innocence and took them to hotels where they were plied with alcohol then sexually abused. They have each been through horrific ordeals and have shown great bravery in giving evidence against their abusers at court.” The investigation prioritised victim support through partnerships with local children’s services. Ashraf and Ali awaited sentencing at a future hearing.