Three men jailed following complex investigation into child sexual exploitation

Three men have been jailed for a combined total of 36 years after they were found guilty of child sexual exploitation.

Three men have been jailed for a combined total of 36 years after they were found guilty of child sexual exploitation.

Omar Badreddin, his brother Mohamad Badreddin, Huzaefa Alaboud, and co-accused Hamoud Al-Soaimi, were convicted in October following a four-week trial at Newcastle Crown Court.

The predators were brought to justice thanks to a long-running operation launched by specialist officers from Northumbria Police in 2019.

A range of enquiries were carried out by detectives after two victims, aged between 12 and 14, bravely came forward to report what had happened to them.

The Badreddin brothers, Alaboud and Al-Soaimi were arrested, subsequently charged with a number of offences, including rape and sexual assault, which they denied – but on October 9, 2023, a jury found them guilty.

On Friday, March 1, at Newcastle Crown Court, three of the men were jailed as follows:

• Omar Badreddin, 26, of Cowgate, was convicted of five counts of rape and violent disorder and jailed for 18 years. He was also made subject of an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order, handed a lifetime restraining order and will remain on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.
• Mohamed Badreddin, 23, also of Cowgate, was convicted of six counts of rape, one count of assault by penetration and violent disorder and was jailed for 13 years. He was also made subject of an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order, handed a lifetime restraining order while he will also remain on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.
• Huzaefa Aleboud, 23, of Throckley, was convicted of two counts of rape, assault by penetration and assault occasioning actual bodily harm and was jailed for five and a half years. He was also made subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years, handed a lifetime restraining and will remain on the Sex Offenders’ Register for 10 years.

Co-accused Hamoud Al-Soaimi, 21, of Byker, was convicted of three counts of sexual assault and assaulting a child under 13 by penetration and given a two-year prison sentence, suspended for two years.

He was also made subject of a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, handed a lifetime restraining order while he will remain on the Sex Offenders’ Register 10 years.

Speaking after the sentencing, the senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Simon Drenon of Northumbria Police said: “These men preyed on two young, vulnerable girls and their actions are completely deplorable.

“As a Force, we will throw every resource we have into targeting suspects, bringing them before the courts and ensuring victims are protected and supported.

“This has been a long process for the victims and they have shown incredible strength and bravery since they first came forward.

“I know no sentence will ever take away the trauma the victims suffered, but hopefully Friday’s sentencing can serve as the first step towards they closure they deserve.

“I hope this outcome will help give other victims of child sexual exploitation and abuse the confidence they need to step forward.”

Detective Inspector Drenon added: “I want to take this opportunity to urge our communities to speak to us and report any information they have around child sexual exploitation.

“If you have any concerns please get in touch with officers immediately and help prevent other children from becoming victims of these vile acts.”

Claire Wright, a Senior Crown Prosecutor with CPS North East’s Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) Team, said: “Those sentenced were responsible for a devastating campaign of sexual abuse against two vulnerable young girls.

“Through their actions they have caused significant trauma to their victims, who continue to struggle with the effects of the numerous offences perpetrated against them.

“Despite this, both girls have shown tremendous courage in providing evidence against their assailants, which has been instrumental in helping us build such a robust case against them.

“We have worked closely with our partners at Northumbria Police to secure the significant sentences passed, and we sincerely hope that these outcomes provide some good measure of comfort to the victims in this case.”

If you want to report any concerns or information to police, then visit the Northumbria Police website for all the various ways to get in touch with officers.

Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.