Two men who took advantage of a teenage girl from a care home and raped her in Alderley Edge have been jailed.
Hussnain Ahmed, 24, and Omar Ali, 24, from Longsight were both found guilty of raping the 15-year-old girl after a trial on Friday, 20th May. They were both sentenced to 11 years in prison at Manchester Crown Court.
Ahmed and Ali drove the teenage girl, a resident at a Manchester care home, to a secluded spot in the village on 28th June 2010 and raped her.
The pair were driving around in their car when they saw the teenage girl, whom they had never met before, outside the home in a drunken state. They persuaded her to get into their car, telling her they were just going for a drive. Fearing she would be dragged in if she did not get in, the girl agreed.
Ignoring her pleas to return her to her home and after taking her mobile phone off her, Ahmed and Ali drove her to the countryside spot.
The girl fell unconscious inside the car due to her intoxicated state, but when she awoke she found herself in a state of undress and at this stage did not know what had happened to her. The pair later dropped her off some distance from her care home and she walked back. She immediately told staff she did not feel well and the home called police.
An appointment was made at the St Mary's Sexual Assault Referral Centre where she was physically examined and received medical advice.
Several days later, the girl saw Ali who gave her her mobile phone back. Stored in the memory were now both Ali and Ahmed's numbers. The girl gave the phone to the investigating officer Detective Sergeant Adam Cronshaw, who called the pair and told them to come to Longsight Police Station, where they were subsequently arrested.
Forensic tests later established both Ali and Ahmed's DNA were present on the swabs taken from the young girl which were consistent with both of them raping her.
Detective Sergeant Adam Cronshaw said: "Not only did Ali and Ahmed rape a defenceless young girl, but it is clear they exploited the fact she was from a care home, intoxicated and vulnerable.
"It is not known why Ali gave her phone back at this chance meeting but clearly they did not expect the girl to find the courage to tell police she had be raped.
"During interviews at the police station, Ahmed initially denied any sexual contact with the young girl whilst Ali made 'no comment.' Later, when confronted with the forensic evidence Ahmed changed his story, attempting to claim she consented.
"I hope this case demonstrates that Greater Manchester Police takes the issues of rape and sexual exploitation of children extremely seriously. Just because a child does not live with their parents, it does not mean no-one cares and it does not mean they should be subject to the sort of sexual exploitation by the likes of Ali and Ahmed just for their own gratification.
"I am absolutely delighted that the jury saw through the lies they spun and convicted them of rape. Not only will the sentences given to them mean they have a long time to reflect on what they put this girl through, but I also hope it sends out a strong message to anyone else who thinks they can exploit and rape vulnerable children that we as a police force will do everything we can to bring rapists to justice and, if convicted, they face a long time behind bars.
"I am particularly pleased that this young girl has seen justice done and I want to commend her for her bravery. Both she and the other witnesses who gave evidence at court secured these convictions and their courage must be recognised. I hope it encourages anyone else who might have suffered to not remain silent but speak up, because together we can put your attackers in jail."
