Rosana Awan

Rosana Awan, a 34-year-old cheerleading coach, was convicted of sexually abusing a teenage girl in numerous incidents spanning several years. The abuse, which detectives described as 'predatory', took place when Awan was in her 20s and involved repeated inappropriate touching and digital penetration of the victim. The prosecution highlighted that the offending reflected 'hundreds of incidents' over a two-year period, constituting a classic case of grooming that caused severe psychological harm to the victim.

The case came to light in 2019 when the victim reported the abuse to Leicestershire Police. Awan was arrested shortly thereafter, but the legal proceedings faced significant delays. She first appeared before magistrates in April 2020, at a time when she had recently married and was pregnant, giving birth to a daughter later that year. The trial was postponed multiple times due to pressures on the court system caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, and it did not proceed until October 2024 at Leicester Crown Court.

Awan was found guilty on four counts of sexual activity with a child and one count of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. Following her conviction, her daughter was placed into the care of Social Services. In December 2024, she was sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment. The court imposed a 10-year restraining order and a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, and Awan was required to register as a sex offender for life.

Awan appealed her sentence, arguing through her legal team that it was unduly harsh given her youth and immaturity at the time of the offences, her diagnosis of ADHD, the significant delays in the trial process, and the impact of her imprisonment on her young child. Her husband remained supportive, and the child maintained daily phone contact with Awan and visited her at weekends. However, the Court of Appeal, presided over by Lady Justice Andrews, Mr Justice Soole, and the Recorder of London, rejected the appeal on 2 February 2026. Lady Justice Andrews ruled that, although the sentence was 'undoubtedly severe', it was not manifestly excessive considering the grooming involved and the profound harm inflicted on the victim.

The case was reported by Leicestershire Live, with details emerging from court proceedings at Leicester Crown Court and the Court of Appeal. Leicestershire Police played a key role in the investigation, describing Awan's behaviour as predatory from the outset.