A predatory rapist from Harrow who fled the country after he had subjected a child to a prolonged campaign of sexual abuse has been jailed.
Abbas Alsaed, 28, of Kingsbury, pleaded guilty to eight counts of rape and sexual assault at Harrow Crown Court on 1 December 2022.
He was sentenced today (Wednesday, 21 June) to 14 years in prison. He was also ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register and is subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for life.
The offences took place between May 2021 and June 2022 in a wooded area of Fryent Country Park, Wembley, when Alsaed approached the victim, an 11-year-old girl, claiming to be a child protection officer. He proceeded to befriend the victim before taking her mobile phone number.
Over the following year Alsaed spoke with the victim, inviting her to a specific location within the park, where he proceeded to rape and sexually assault her on numerous occasions.
Police were later notified of the offences after concerns were raised by a member of staff at the victim’s school. This led to an immediate arrest attempt, which proved negative. Alsaed later spoke with police, claiming he would hand himself in, before fleeing the country.
As a result, officers from the Met’s Predatory Offender Unit led a dedicated manhunt for Alsaed and following a number of initial enquiries, established that he had travelled to the Netherlands. Officers believe he was hoping to travel onward to Iraq.
Further enquiries were conducted, including looking at CCTV, phone data and speaking with the Dutch authorities. This resulted in the successful arrest of Alsaed at St Pancras station when he returned to the country on 15 August 2022.
Alsaed was interviewed and later charged with eight counts of rape and sexual assault before he was remanded in custody.
Police statements from investigating officers
Investigating officer Detective Constable Qamar Islam from the North West Command Unit said: “Alsaed is a dangerous and manipulative individual, who took advantage of a vulnerable child in order to carry out terrible crimes, which will live with the victim forever.
“I would like to commend the courage and bravery of the victim, who after enduring such traumatic abuse, spoke with officers and found the strength to assist with this investigation.
“These crimes were reported to the Met in June 2022 and resulted in an arrest less than two months later. A successful investigation ensued due to diligent and efficient work by a number of officers involved in this case.
“I truly hope that the result today will reassure victims of rape and sexual assault, that we will do everything within our power to investigate and prosecute predatory men at the earliest possible opportunity.”
Sexual Offences Investigation Trained Officer (SOIT), PC Grace Wilson is a specially trained officer who has been the single point of contact for the victim and her family throughout this investigation.
Speaking after the verdict, PC Wilson said: “This has been an extremely distressing time for the victim and her family and I have been encouraged by their unwavering bravery.
“They have supported the investigation throughout, even when the case was adjourned on several occasions. The strength of the girl to carry on and keep going after several setbacks has left me in awe of her determination.
“I echo this determination and am pleased that we have finally achieved justice for the victim and that a predatory offender is behind bars.
“We encourage any person who is a victim of rape or sexual assault, regardless of when it occurred, to report it to police. We will treat your allegations seriously, we will listen to you and we will support you throughout the process.”
