Predator Receives 11-Year Sentence for Abduction and Assault of Young Girl
A sexual predator who snatched a five-year-old girl from a street in Birmingham and assaulted her in his home has been jailed for 11 years. Mohammed Abdulraziq, 32, held the victim in a downstairs room until her mother heard her cries, leading to a dramatic rescue by two men who forced their way into the property.
Disturbing Details of the Abduction and Assault
The court heard that the girl had been playing outside while her mother chatted with a neighbour. Abdulraziq, who was heavily under the influence of illicit substances, made sexualised comments towards the mother before seizing the child when she looked away for less than ten seconds. He took the girl into his terraced house, where he locked her in a bedroom.
When the mother realised her daughter was missing, she and a friend launched a frantic search, checking a park and a corner shop. Upon returning to the street, she recognised her daughter's crying from inside Abdulraziq's home. The front door was locked, so she grabbed a wooden scaffolding board to smash the window of the room where the assault was occurring.
Heroic Rescue by Neighbours
A neighbour climbed part-way through the window and saw Abdulraziq with the girl, but he swung a punch at her and shut the window, causing her to fall back onto the street. Two other men heard the commotion and forced the door open, detaining Abdulraziq until police arrived. By the time of the rescue, the girl's cycling shorts were around her ankles, and Abdulraziq's lower clothes were also down, with him bent over her near the bed.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
At Birmingham Crown Court, Judge Kerry Maylin described the victim as a "little girl happily playing in the street" and noted the horrific experience for the mother, who banged on the door and window to save her daughter. Abdulraziq was found guilty of false imprisonment with intent to commit a sexual offence, sexual assault, and assault after a trial. He had previously admitted charges of assault, attempted assault, and criminal damage in a separate incident.
In a victim impact statement, the mother said she and her daughter suffered trauma, with the girl's cries of distress haunting her forever. The court was told the victim had transformed from a happy and confident child to one with complex behavioural needs as a result of the ordeal.
Police Response and Risk Assessment
Detective Sergeant Nicky Simms of West Midlands Police praised the courage of the girl and her mother, calling Abdulraziq a predatory individual. Judge Maylin extended the defendant's licence by four years, stating she was satisfied he posed a risk of serious harm to others, particularly young children. The sentencing had been postponed from January to allow for a dangerousness assessment by the probation service.
This case highlights the bravery of the community in responding to such a terrifying incident, with the quick actions of neighbours preventing further harm. Authorities emphasise that such events are rare but underscore the importance of vigilance and swift intervention in protecting vulnerable children.
