Afghan Asylum Seeker Sentenced for Snapchat-Groomed Rape of 13-Year-Old

Abdul Khan, a 28-year-old Afghan asylum seeker, was convicted at Nottingham Crown Court of raping a 13-year-old schoolgirl after grooming her on Snapchat. The jury found him guilty of rape, sexual communication with a child, meeting a child following grooming, and perverting the course of justice. He received a nine-and-a-half-year prison term, an indefinite sex-offender registration, and automatic deportation to Afghanistan after serving two-thirds of the sentence.

Afghan asylum seeker who raped schoolgirl in woods after masquerading as 14-year-old boy on Snapchat is jailed for nearly 10 years

Khan entered the United Kingdom in 2015, arriving in the back of a lorry. In his asylum application he gave a birth date of December 26, 2004 and later provided at least four different dates, including May 19, 1999, indicating false identity. Earlier in the year he had been sentenced to 23 months at Derby Crown Court for sexual communication with another child, a conviction that informed the pre-sentence risk assessment.

Afghan asylum seeker who raped schoolgirl in woods after masquerading as 14-year-old boy on Snapchat is jailed for nearly 10 years

• May 14 (last year): The alleged rape occurred in Scout Wood Nature Reserve, near Farnborough Road in Clifton.

Nottinghamshire Post

• The victim reported the incident to her father, who called police.

Afghan asylum seeker who raped schoolgirl in woods after masquerading as 14-year-old boy on Snapchat is jailed for nearly 10 years

• Khan was arrested later that day; his clothing and mobile phone were seized.

Afghan asylum seeker who raped schoolgirl in woods after masquerading as 14-year-old boy on Snapchat is jailed for nearly 10 years

• Verdict delivered after a four-day trial; sentencing scheduled for the following Monday.

Nottinghamshire Post

• Prison term: 9 years 6 months.

Afghan asylum seeker who raped schoolgirl in woods after masquerading as 14-year-old boy on Snapchat is jailed for nearly 10 years

• Prior sentence: 23 months for a separate child-sex offence.

Afghan asylum seeker who raped schoolgirl in woods after masquerading as 14-year-old boy on Snapchat is jailed for nearly 10 years

• DNA match: forensic swabs from the victim’s school trousers matched Khan’s DNA.

Afghan asylum seeker who raped schoolgirl in woods after masquerading as 14-year-old boy on Snapchat is jailed for nearly 10 years

• Age at time of offence: Khan was 27; the victim was 13.

Afghan asylum seeker who raped schoolgirl in woods after masquerading as 14-year-old boy on Snapchat is jailed for nearly 10 years

• Number of false birth dates provided: at least four, ranging from 1998 to 2009.

Afghan asylum seeker who raped schoolgirl in woods after masquerading as 14-year-old boy on Snapchat is jailed for nearly 10 years

• Prosecutor Kevin Jones testified that Khan used the Snapchat name “Abs,” sent a friend request, and pretended to be a 14-year-old boy. He arranged to meet the girl at a tram stop, persuaded her to go to the woods, and then forced her to the floor before raping her. Jones highlighted the DNA evidence and phone-recorded messages linking Khan to the victim.

Afghan asylum seeker who raped schoolgirl in woods after masquerading as 14-year-old boy on Snapchat is jailed for nearly 10 years

The victim’s impact statement, read by prosecutor Dawn Pritchard, detailed lasting trauma: loss of trust, flashbacks, refusal to wear her school uniform, suicidal thoughts on the night of the attack, and months of self-harm. She expressed a desire to prevent similar abuse.

Afghan asylum seeker who raped schoolgirl in woods after masquerading as 14-year-old boy on Snapchat is jailed for nearly 10 years

• Birth-date claims: Prosecutor Jones cited a claimed birth date of May 19, 1999, while the asylum application listed December 26, 2004, underscoring Khan’s pattern of false personal information.

Nottinghamshire Post

• Khan’s statements: During police questioning he identified himself as “Abs Leo,” claimed to be “nearly 16,” denied ever meeting the victim, and asserted he was a virgin—claims contradicted by forensic and digital evidence.

Afghan asylum seeker who raped schoolgirl in woods after masquerading as 14-year-old boy on Snapchat is jailed for nearly 10 years

• “Mr Khan, I will deal with you on Monday morning, until then you can stay in custody. Please go with the officer, thank you.” — Judge Mark Watson

Nottinghamshire Post