CPS News Brief

Murderer who fled the country sentenced on British soil

Sammy Almahri who strangled his victim in a hotel room in Cardiff was sentenced at the Crown Court today to life imprisonment.

British national Nadine Aburas met New York businessman Sammy Almahri on a dating website, before meeting in person. After killing her Almahri fled to Tanzania where he was arrested and later extradited back to the UK.

 

David Wooler, Senior Crown Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service Cymru-Wales, said:

“Nadine Aburas was a popular and caring young woman with a bright future to look forward to. Sammy Almahri’s callous and brutal actions took that future away from her and left her family dealing with the immense distress that resulted from her loss. 

“Having taken Nadine’s life, Almahri immediately sought to avoid responsibility for his actions by fleeing the country. Thanks to a swift and professional multi-agency response he was quickly brought back to Wales, where he has now been made to face up to what he did.

“Today’s sentencing marks the conclusion of the criminal justice process, but we are acutely aware that the process of dealing with Nadine’s loss continues for those close to her. I would like to thank them for their bravery and dignity throughout the investigation and prosecution of this case.”

 

Additional information:

Sammy Almahri was today sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 17 years. He was charged with murder and initially entered a not guilty plea. His trial started at Cardiff Crown Court on Wednesday 19 October 2016 and the day after, on Thursday 20 October 2016, Almahri changed his plea to guilty.

Alert: further fake witness summons emails

It has come to the attention of the Crown Prosecution Service that emails have been received by members of the public this morning (Thur 3 Nov) which falsely claim to be from the CPS. These emails include a summons to appear as a witness in court. Identical emails were sent out on Thursday 27 October.

The CPS does not email witnesses in order to summons them to court. 

If you have received this email, please delete it and do not click on any of the links enclosed.

Man convicted of aiding illegal entry into the UK

A 31-year-old man has been given a six month prison sentence after pleading guilty to arranging the illegal entry into the United Kingdom of two Iraqi nationals from France.  

On 20 November 2015, a member of the public contacted the police when they saw two men exit the roof of a lorry which had stopped at industrial premises in Redditch. 

Officers searched the area and stopped a car at a nearby car park. In the back of the car were the two Iraqi men who had exited the lorry. 

The driver, Ahmed Rasouli from Leicester, was arrested. Police also recovered £2,910 in cash.

Earlier in the month the defendant had corresponded with the two Iraqis before visiting Calais, France where arrangements were made for them to enter the UK. 

On 19 November, the two Iraqi nationals accessed a lorry whilst its doors were unlocked and hid in the vehicle’s trailer until they arrived in Redditch.  

The defendant was charged with an act to facilitate the commission of a breach of UK immigration law by a non-EU person. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced at Worcester Crown Court on 1 November. 

Jason Corden-Bowen, District Crown Prosecutor from West Midlands Crown Prosecution Service, said: 

“Ahmed Rasouli travelled to France and planned the illegal entry into the United Kingdom of two Iraqi nationals, which included providing instructions and directions.

“This conviction sends a clear message that this will not be tolerated.”

Three men convicted of sexual assault and rape against four young girls and teenagers in Bristol

Three men have been convicted of sexual assault and rape against four young girls and teenagers in Bristol

The group targeted vulnerable girls as young as 13 and provided them with alcohol and marijuana before demanding sex. Three men have been found guilty by a jury at Bristol Crown Court of charges of sexual assault, rape, trafficking for sexual exploitation and supplying a controlled drug of class B. 

Huw Rogers, Head of the Complex Casework Unit for CPS South West said: 

“The abuse in this case is chilling. The defendants groomed, sexually abused and raped four young girls, from the ages of 13 to 16, over a four-year period. The victims were deliberately targeted as they were perceived to be vulnerable and impressionable. 

“The defendants’ relationships with the victims focused on complete control, ensuring they were always in charge. They wanted sex from the girls and demanded this from them.  The victims did not have the freedom to consent to any of these acts, and on some occasions were threatened so that they could not leave. 

“I would like to thank the witnesses and victims for their courage in coming forward in this case.”

 

ENDS

 

Details of the charges:

Sakiriya Sheikh convicted of 3 counts of sexual assault, 2 counts of trafficking in the UK for a sexual offence, 4 counts of rape and two counts of supplying cannabis- imprisoned for 16 years

Mohammed Ismail Dahir convicted of 2 counts of rape- imprisoned for 8 years

Abdirashid Abdulahi convicted of 2 counts of rape- imprisoned for 8 years