A MAN who sexually assaulted a girl on her way home from school in Harlow has been jailed for six years.

Seya Mohammed, 19 of Clayburn Circle, Basildon was found guilty of two serious sexual offences including rape following a trial at Chelmsford Crown Court.

His conviction and sentence concludes a complex investigation from the Child Abuse Investigation Team, who identified Mohammed as the main suspect using his phone data.

Mohammed was arrested on 28 November last year after a 15-year-old girl disclosed that she had been raped whilst walking home from school in Harlow two months prior. Mohammed had persistently harassed the victim, leading her to secluded area before subjecting her to a serious sexual assault.

Following his arrest, Seya Mohammed’s phone was seized and his messages indicated his involvement. He was charged with rape of a girl under the age of 16 and sexual assault on a girl 13 or over.

He appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court on 16 September where he received a six-year custodial sentence in a Young Offenders Institute. He will spend a further three years on extended license. Mohammed was also issued with a restraining order and put on the sex offenders register for life.

Detective Constable Gary Mills said “The investigative work to get this case to the court was a long process but was made possible by the strength the victim demonstrated.

“Mohammed pleaded not guilty, meaning that the victim in this case had to go through the difficult trial process. Our Child Abuse Investigation Team were committed to getting justice, as we are with every case and I am pleased that our work means Mohammed cannot put anyone else in danger.

“In this case, the victim was not in the position to report until they disclosed to a close friend two months later. It’s a common misconception that to get justice in sexual offences investigations, that the incident must be reported right away. We appreciate that this is not always possible and if you have been subjected to sexual assault, we will always investigate to the best of our abilities, no matter how recent.

“If you are a victim or survivor and want guidance or advice around what you have been through, there are a number of support services available to you in Essex.”

Support is there for anyone affected by rape and sexual abuse, and no victim or survivor is alone. Synergy Essex provides specialist support for victims and survivors of rape and sexual abuse of all ages and all genders across Essex.

Synergy Essex is a partnership of rape and sexual abuse centres in Essex: CARA (Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse), SERICC Rape and Sexual Abuse Specialist Service and Southend-on-Sea Rape Crisis (SOS Rape Crisis). Synergy Essex is independent from the police and provides support for victims and survivors throughout their journey. Victims and survivors can self-refer, or be referred by a parent, partner, friend or professional and can access specialist emotional support, counselling and advocacy. For victims and survivors who report to the police, Synergy Essex provides an Independent Sexual Violence Adviser (ISVA) service, providing support throughout the criminal justice process.

For more information visit the Synergy Essex website