‘Predators’: Grooming gang jailed for 20 years for sexual abuse of girl, 16

By Simon Bristow, Co-Editor

Three men who groomed and sexually abused a vulnerable 16-year-old girl in Hull have been jailed for a combined total of 20 years.

Hamdulluh Hamdadd, also known as Hamid, 24, Amjid Akakhail, 22, and Rafiullah Naseri, 20, also known as Shaheen, were unanimously convicted by a jury after an 18-day trial at Hull Crown Court that concluded yesterday.

Hamdadd, of Park Grove, Hull, was found guilty of intentionally arranging or facilitating the sexual exploitation of a child and intentionally obtaining for himself the sexual services of a child between July 2025 and November 2025.

He pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to possessing an extreme pornographic image and making an indecent photograph of a child.

Hamdadd was jailed for eight years.

Naseri, of Spring Bank, Hull, was found guilty of intentionally arranging or facilitating the sexual exploitation of a child and intentionally obtaining for himself the sexual services of a child between July 2025 and November 2025.

EIGHT YEARS: Hamdulluh Hamdadd

He was also jailed for eight years.

Akakhail, of Pearson Street, Wakefield, was found guilty of intentionally obtaining for himself the sexual services of a child between July 2025 and November 2025. He pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to making an indecent photograph of a child.

Akakhail was jailed for four years.

All three, who are all Afghan nationals who identify as Arab, were also made subject to lifetime restraining orders, placed on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely, and given Sexual Harm Prevention Orders for life when they were sentenced at the same court today.

Humberside Police called it a “harrowing” case and said the abuse began after the victim met Hamdadd by chance when they were both customers at a retail premises in Hull.

The force’s Child Sexual Exploitation Team “swiftly” launched an investigation after information was reported to police by professionals who had concerns for a child’s welfare.

EIGHT YEARS: Rafiullah Naseri

Following Hamdadd’s initial encounter with the girl, he used “calculated tactics” to build a relationship based on trust and control. Gifts were used to create a powerful sense of obligation, enabling him to isolate and target the victim for sexual exploitation and to introduce her to the other men involved.

All three men targeted the victim, grooming her to gain her trust before exploiting her and subjecting her to repeated sexual abuse at addresses across Hull.

As the investigation developed, officers identified several addresses linked to the suspects, leading to warrants being executed at addresses in Hull and West Yorkshire with the support of partner agencies in December 2025. These warrants resulted in the arrests of all three men.

Following their arrests, officers worked closely with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to build a compelling case against all three men, and they were subsequently charged and remanded the following day, December 11, 2025.

During the trial, jurors were presented with extensive evidence, including witness testimonies, CCTV footage and communication data. This evidence clearly demonstrated the extent of the abuse and the “significant impact” it had on the victim, police said.

Detective Superintendent Nicole Elliott, who led the investigation, said: “This has been a complex and sensitive investigation, with the safety and protection of a vulnerable child and the prevention and disruption of further serious offending at its core.

FOUR YEARS: Amjid Akakhail

“This case represents a harrowing example of grooming, manipulation and predatory behaviour by three men who deliberately targeted a vulnerable child. They offered money, alcohol and drugs, using these tactics to gain control before sexually abusing her for their own gratification.

“The victim has shown remarkable courage and strength in extremely traumatic circumstances. She worked closely with our Child Sexual Exploitation Team and partner agencies to explain the abuse she suffered, and her bravery has been central to bringing these offenders to justice.

“I am incredibly proud of the dedication shown by the investigating officers, who worked tirelessly to build a strong evidential case. I would also like to thank our partner agencies for their support throughout this investigation.”

She added: “We take all reports of child sexual exploitation and sexual offending extremely seriously. These crimes have devastating and lifelong consequences, what happened to this victim cannot be undone, but we are committed to ensuring offenders are prosecuted and victims receive justice.

“Our dedicated Child Sexual Exploitation Team will continue to support victims, protect vulnerable children and young people, and pursue justice wherever evidence of exploitation or abuse is identified.

“If you have experienced sexual abuse or exploitation or have concerns about a child who may be at risk, please contact us on 101. In an emergency, or if someone is in immediate danger, always call 999.”