Four sentenced for grooming and raping teenage girl in Bristol

Three men and a 17-year-old boy who groomed and raped a teenage girl in Bristol last year leaving her “broken beyond resistance” have received custodial sentences.

Mehrab Safi, 21, and Salman Habibkheil, 19, arranged for the victim to be brought into Bristol where they, together with Awal Ahmadzai, 19, and the 17-year-old boy, plied her with alcohol and raped her. 

They denied the offences but were convicted after a trial earlier this year and were sentenced to a combined 36 years at Bristol Crown Court today (6 October). 

The victim met Safi, of St Werburghs, on 25 November 2025 having visited the city to go Christmas shopping with a friend. 

Safi tried to persuade the pair to go to his home, offering them drugs and a place to charge their phones, but they declined and went back to their homes. 

However, Safi continued messaging the victim via Snapchat and requested indecent images from her. 

Less than a week later Safi and Habibkheil, of Lockleaze, arranged for her to be brought into Bristol by taxi. She was then taken to Safi’s house and given alcohol. 

The pair, along with Ahmadzai, of no fixed address, and the teenage boy, all of whom are Afghan nationals, then raped and sexually assaulted over a period of several hours. 

She was found by officers at Safi’s home in St Werburghs having been reported missing by her mum. 

The teenage boy was arrested at the scene and the three men were arrested a few days later having been brought back to the UK after fleeing to France. 

Phones belonging to Habibkheil and Ahmadzai were found to have been used to search for news of the incident online and were also used to research court procedures relating to serious sexual offences. 

Court convictions

Safi, whose self-defined ethnicity is ”any other Asian background”, was found guilty of two counts of rape and one count of arranging or facilitating the travel of a female with a view to exploitation. 

Habibkheil, whose self-defined ethnicity is “any other Black background”, was convicted of one count of rape and one count of arranging or facilitating the travel of a female with a view to exploitation. 

Ahmadzai, whose self-defined ethnicity is “any other Asian background”, was found guilty of one count of rape and one count of sexual assault. 

The teenage boy, who cannot be identified because of his age, was convicted of one count of rape. 

At today’s sentencing hearing, a statement from the victim was read out. In it she spoke about the ongoing impact the offences has had. 

The victim said: “When I think back to who I was a year ago, I can say that I am a different person to who I was before this all happened. I had a lot more friends, I would go out a lot more, I was happier – now I stopped going out, I don’t even leave the house in general.  

“My dream was to go to college, I wanted to work in a nursery with children, but because my anxiety now is so bad, I had to put a hold on to that dream. I do not know how I will ever be able to do that by myself.  

“When I heard that these men were found guilty, I was very glad and relieved. I knew they were guilty anyway, but I was still scared that they would get away with what they have done and I am relieved they will not be able to do that.” 

In a separate impact statement, the victim’s mother said she and her daughter had felt supported by police officers and a registered intermediary during the investigation and court process.  

She added: “As a mum it was really hard for me to hear what had happened to my daughter and it is hard to think that my baby has gone through something so horrific, not just once but four times by four men who thought they could do what they wanted to her.  

“It is really hard for me to see how it has affected her and how she has withdrawn from the world around her. She hasn’t been able to go back into Bristol since.” 

‘Broken beyond resistance’

Sentencing at Bristol Crown Court, Judge Cullum said the three men and the 17-year-old boy and left the victim “broken beyond resistance”.

“The victim was obviously vulnerable, and that’s why you all preyed on her,” he said. “She was, in my judgement, vulnerable from the moment you set eyes on her.”

He added: “Having taken her by a convoluted route back to your house, you then all had sex with her when you wanted, irrespective of what she wanted.

“She was plied with drink until she was very significantly affected. You were getting her drunk to increase her vulnerability and to increase the prospect that she could not resist.”

Mehrab Safi was sentenced to 15 years in prison. 

Salman Habibkheil was sentenced to nine years’ detention. 

Awal Ahmadzai was sentenced to nine years’ detention. 

The 17-year-old boy was sentenced to three years’ detention. 

Detective Chief Inspector Matt Cable, the senior investigating officer, said: “It’s impossible to understate how significant these offences were. 

“They took advantage of a vulnerable young girl, purely to fulfil their own sexual gratifications. 

“At no point did they give a second thought to the victim’s welfare and the trauma associated with that night will be with her forever. 

“Her bravery in standing up in court and telling her story is awe-inspiring. She has now seen them face justice for the crimes they committed against her. 

The victim continues to be supported by a specially trained officer and support will continue to be available for as long as it is needed. 

Georgina Broom of the Crown Prosecution Service said: “The young victim in this case was targeted, groomed, and then lured to an unfamiliar city, miles from home in the dead of night.   

“Isolated and alone, she was plied with alcohol and then raped and abused over several hours by four different people. It was clear throughout that she did not consent. 

“Thankfully the three men who fled in such a cowardly manner were swiftly returned to the UK to face justice. 

“The CPS is committed to delivering justice for the victims of rape and sexual abuse, and I would encourage all victims to come forward to report offences to the police, so they can be investigated.”