Bawan Harwe

Bawan Harwe, 28, has been sentenced to 29 years in prison with an additional three years on licence at Sheffield Crown Court for a series of serious sexual and exploitative offences against girls aged between 12 and 16.

Following a four-week trial, Harwe was found guilty of eight counts of rape, two counts of meeting a child following sexual grooming, two counts of false imprisonment, and six counts of arranging and facilitating travel of another person with a view to exploitation. Additionally, Harwe had previously entered guilty pleas to one count of rape of a child under 13, three counts of making indecent images of children, and one count of possessing extreme pornography.

The court heard that Harwe used social media to groom his victims, offering them money and e-cigarettes before subjecting them to abuse. During the trial, evidence was presented regarding instances where Harwe plied his victims with drugs and alcohol to facilitate the offences. Judge Sarah Wright, in her sentencing remarks, highlighted the devastating and long-lasting impact of his actions on the victims and their families.