Huzaefa Aleboud

Huzaefa Aleboud, a 23-year-old Syrian refugee, was part of a gang led by the Badreddin brothers that groomed and sexually exploited a 13-year-old girl in Newcastle over several months from August 2018 to April 2019. Aged 17 during the offences, Aleboud 'badgered' the victim into sexual contact by claiming she had already allowed the brothers to assault her, leading to ongoing and regular rapes. The abuses occurred in public areas like near the city centre castle and behind a burger restaurant, after initial grooming with alcohol and cigarettes.

Prosecutor Anne Richardson outlined at Newcastle Crown Court how Aleboud joined the group in targeting the vulnerable girl, who was threatened with violence and kidnapping by the leaders. Judge Amanda Rippon characterised Aleboud as a 'follower' who learned from the Badreddins that local girls were 'there to be used', showing disregard for the victim's true age of 13 despite her lie about being 15. The victim endured torture-like treatment, later describing in a statement how the men 'hurt [her] in so many ways' and left her petrified, resulting in severe trauma including drug use and self-harm.

In defence, Robin Patton noted Aleboud's physical frailty due to childhood cancer treatment and that he was not a group leader. Nevertheless, on 1 March 2024, he was sentenced to five and a half years' imprisonment for assault by penetration, two counts of rape, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Aleboud must sign the sex offenders' register for life and is bound by a restraining order preventing contact with the victim and others. Northumbria Police's involvement underscores the investigation into these child sex offences, as reported by the BBC.