Two Afghan asylum seekers aged 17 sentenced after raping 15-year-old girl in Warwickshire
Israr Niazal and Jan Jahanzeb, both 17, have been handed youth detention sentences
Last updated 8th Dec 2025
Two teenage asylum seekers from Afghanistan who abducted and raped a 15-year-old girl in parkland in Warwickshire have been detained for ten and nine years respectively.
Jan Jahanzeb and Israr Niazal, both aged 17, face possible deportation and were ordered to register as sex offenders after a court heard their victim was led away from friends and attacked.
Warwick Crown Court was told the pair led the highly-distressed girl into a "den-type" area in in Leamington Spa, where they pushed her to the ground and attacked her.
Sentencing the youths on Monday, Judge Sylvia de Bertodano said the victim had made "vigorous protests" while being deliberately taken to a secluded area.
The judge told Jahanzeb, who has already been served with deportation notification papers, and Niazal: "What you two did on that evening changed her life forever.
"No child should have to suffer the ordeal that she suffered. It's clear from the footage we have seen that no one can seriously entertain the thought that you believed she was consenting.
"This is a case where it was absolutely clear to both of you that you were taking a child away from her friends in the face of her vigorous protests to somewhere that could not be observed in order to commit this offence.
"You both knew perfectly well that what you were doing was criminal and wrong."
Detective Chief Inspector Richard Hobbs said: “This was a hugely traumatic incident, and I can’t speak highly enough of the victim for the bravery she has shown.
“Our specially trained officers have supported her since the start of the investigation, but understandably, it has been, and continues to be, an incredibly challenging time for both her and her family.
“Jahanzeb and Niazal went out of their way to befriend the victim with the intention of raping her. The length of their sentence reflects the severity of their crime and the need to protect the public from them.
"I hope this outcome will provide reassurance to other victims of sexual offences and give them the confidence to report, knowing police will listen and support them.
“We encourage anyone who has been the victim of rape or sexual offence to report it. We will always investigate thoroughly and sensitively, and do everything in our power to bring offenders to justice, getting the right result with a victim’s wishes in mind.”
Jahanzeb was sentenced to a youth detention term of 10 years and eight months, while Niazal was sentenced to nine years and 10 months.
Both pleaded guilty to rape at an earlier hearing at Coventry youth court.