Two Men Sentenced for Horrific Hotel Room Rape of Teenager in Hull
Two men have been handed substantial prison sentences for the brutal rape of a 13-year-old girl in a Hull hotel room, with one perpetrator acting as a lookout during the assault. Shahram Ibrehemi, aged 20, and Riley Smith, aged 19, were convicted following a distressing trial at Grimsby Crown Court that revealed harrowing details of the crime.
Disturbing Details of the Attack Emerge in Court
The court heard how the teenage victim was out with friends in Hull when she encountered Ibrehemi and Smith, who were then 19 and 18 respectively. The men initially approached the girl, inviting her to "go around town with them" and mentioning they were staying at a local hotel. The girl immediately rebuffed them, calling them "paedos" and stating she had no intention of joining them.
After persistent pressure, the girl gave them her mobile number hoping they would leave her alone. She later reunited with friends and consumed alcohol, becoming heavily intoxicated after drinking three quarters of a litre of vodka mixed with cherry Coke. The men later met her again when she was in this vulnerable state.
Systematic Exploitation in Hotel Room
The two men then led the intoxicated teenager to Smith's hotel room. Smith stood guard outside the door, telling Ibrehemi he would give them 20 minutes. Inside the room, Ibrehemi repeatedly raped the 13-year-old girl while a pillow was placed over her head. Smith periodically entered the room, telling Ibrehemi to "shut her up as she was going to get you both caught."
CCTV footage from the hotel corridor showed Smith "pacing up and down like a cat on a hot tin roof" while guarding the room. A hotel employee, alerted by the suspicious behavior, approached Smith, who claimed he was trying to get a mobile phone signal. The employee then heard Smith open the door and tell Ibrehemi to "hurry up."
Aftermath and Police Investigation
After the assault, the men walked the heavily intoxicated girl out of the hotel, with CCTV capturing her barely able to walk. Her next memory was being collected by her father from Anlaby Road and taken home. The victim later confided in a friend, leading to her parents being informed and Humberside Police launching an investigation that resulted in both men's arrests.
Ibrehemi admitted to rape, while Smith denied the charge but was convicted by a jury after trial. Smith refused to attend court for sentencing, showing no remorse for his role in the horrific crime.
Victim's Heartbreaking Impact Statement
Prosecutor Claire Holmes read the victim's impact statement in court, where the teenager attended with support from friends and the court witness service. "The pain and hurt is hard to comprehend," the girl said. "The two men have taken away my confidence, my personality, my ability to function and my virginity."
She continued: "My virginity should have been protected, as should have I. It should have been with someone I love and someone who loved me. I will never get over being raped. It is with me every second of every minute of every hour of every day." The victim described how she had been a happy, confident young woman but now felt scared, mistrusted boys and men, and rarely went out.
Sentencing and Judge's Comments
Judge Singh sentenced Ibrehemi to nine years and seven months imprisonment, while Smith received seven years. Both men will serve at least two-thirds of their sentences before being considered for parole and will be on the sex offenders' register for life, with prohibitions against working with children.
The judge noted that Smith, while not physically attacking the girl, was "a look-out, keeping watch" and stated: "Without you providing the room and lying to the witness, this offence could not have been committed." Judge Singh directly addressed the victim, emphasizing that she was not to blame for taking alcohol and that "all young people are entitled to make mistakes."
Background of the Perpetrators
Rachel Scott, mitigating for Ibrehemi, revealed he was an asylum seeker from Iran who came to the UK at age 17 after his father paid people smugglers due to dangers in his homeland. He had been living in "immigration-based accommodation in Hull" and had no previous convictions. Scott noted that deportation proceedings by the Home Office were likely.
Michele Stuart-Lofthouse, representing Smith, submitted a psychological report detailing his "chaotic background" including a childhood of abuse and exploitation in County Lines drug dealing in Grimsby. He had moved to Hull attempting to start a new life but ultimately participated in this horrific crime.
The case highlights the vulnerability of young people and the devastating consequences of predatory behavior, with the victim's life irrevocably changed by the actions of these two men.
