Overview
- A jury at Sheffield Crown Court on Tuesday found Bawan Hawre and Sharam Muhamadi guilty of offences linked to the sexual exploitation of seven girls aged 12 to 16.
- Hawre was convicted of multiple serious offences including six counts of arranging travel with a view to exploitation, several counts of rape and two counts of false imprisonment.
- Muhamadi was convicted in his absence of two counts of arranging or facilitating travel with a view to exploitation after failing to attend court from May 18 and he is the subject of an active manhunt.
- Prosecutors told the jury the men groomed victims online using fake names, offered vapes and money, transported girls between Barnsley and Doncaster, and used alcohol and drugs to reduce resistance; the probe began in August 2024 after a safeguarding disclosure.
- Sentencing is scheduled at Sheffield Crown Court on June 11 and police have urged anyone with information to call 999 or contact Crimestoppers while offering continued support to the victims through local safeguarding services.