Man jailed for raping child at party

A man who raped a child at a party has been jailed for nine years.

Ammar Moqbal, 32, from Sheffield, was a stranger to the victim and gave them alcohol at the party before raping them, Sheffield Crown Court was told.

The victim left the party and approached a member of the public to ask for help, which led to Moqbal's arrest, South Yorkshire Police said.

Moqbal was found guilty of the rape of a child between the ages of 13 and 15 in October and sentenced on Tuesday.

In a statement, the child told the court "every part of their life" had been affected by the rape.

"That night I was with my friends and could have never known what was about to happen. I found myself in a situation I could not control and as a child could not see a way out of," the victim said.

"Whilst trying to work through what had happened, I lost the normality of just being in school.

"I couldn't concentrate on my work or studies, as there was not enough head space for me to deal with the trauma I suffered, as well as what others were saying to me."

They said they would "always struggle to do what most people would not think twice about," such as leaving their home and going to new places.

"I think the best way to describe my state of mind now, is similar to suffering a bereavement," they said.

"It's like I am grieving for the life I feel I have lost. I feel like it's a constant struggle to move my life forward due to the barriers I face now.

"I worry that one day these all of these things will overcome me, what happened will overcome me. I can't and will not allow this to happen.

"I will not let those who harmed me win, that time is done."

Three men also charged with rape of a child aged between 13 and 15 were found not guilty in February 2024 and were released with no further action.

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