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The decades-long fight for justice by a woman subjected to a sustained campaign of sexual abuse as a child has concluded with a 10-year prison sentence for her attacker, after a powerful victim impact statement laid bare the lifelong cost of his crimes.
The abuse occurred between 1994 and 2003 against a victim under the age of 13, with offences first reported to police in 2003 only for the Crown Prosecution Service to take no further action . More than 30 years after the abuse began, Haji Hussain Mohammed, 52, formerly of Heronswood Road in Welwyn Garden City, was sentenced at St Albans Crown Court today (Friday, 4 September) after being found guilty of six counts of indecent assault and three counts of indecency following a trial in June . He was found not guilty of one count of indecent assault and will now serve the maximum available sentence, alongside an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order .
‘I Will Never Know Who I Could Have Become’
Addressing a crowded courtroom ahead of sentencing, Daily Dazzling Dawn was told the victim spoke of the profound, life-altering impact of the abuse, describing how it shaped every facet of her existence . “The abuse has affected every stage of my life,” she told the court. “It has shaped my education, my relationships, my mental health, my self-worth, my career and my ability to trust other people.”
The court heard that the years of fighting to be believed caused repeated breakdowns and lengthy periods of depression. In a deeply moving statement, she added: “I will never know who I could have become had this not happened to me. The childhood I should have had, and the person I might have become, were taken from me. That loss is something I will carry with me for the rest of my life.”
A Case Reopened After Two Decades
The case was initially reported to Hertfordshire Constabulary in 2003 but was not progressed by the Crown Prosecution Service . However, following a review process by the CPS in 2023, the case was re-opened . It was then subjected to a thorough re-investigation by Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Non-Recent Child Abuse Investigation Team (NRCAIT), a specialist unit dedicated to pursuing justice for adult survivors of childhood abuse often decades after the event .
Speaking to journalists, Detective Constable Gemma Lobacz, who led the investigation, said: “Firstly, I wish to commend the victim for showing courage and bravery throughout the investigation and court process, and for remaining committed to seeking justice despite significant personal challenges.” She added: “This case shows that there is no time limit on justice. We remain committed to identifying, pursuing and holding offenders accountable, regardless of when their crimes were committed.”
The court heard that Mohammed was subsequently charged with the offences in February and March last year, according to legislation in place at the time . The case represents a significant success for the NRCAIT, a team which has a proven history of building robust cases that do not solely rely on the victim’s account and which has secured lengthy sentences for perpetrators of serious sexual offences .
A Warning That Justice Is Never Out Of Reach
The 10-year jail term handed down at St Albans Crown Court is the maximum sentence available for the offences, underlining the severity of the sustained abuse suffered by the young victim . The indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order will also impose stringent restrictions on Mohammed’s future conduct.
Detective Constable Lobacz concluded: “Mohammed will now serve a considerable amount of time behind bars, and I hope this result will offer a sense of closure.”
The case serves as a stark reminder that justice can be pursued no matter how much time has passed. Hertfordshire Constabulary has confirmed that specialist officers remain on hand to provide advice and support to any victim of sexual assault, regardless of when the offence occurred. This conviction not only holds a dangerous offender accountable but also sends a powerful message to survivors that they will be heard and believed, even decades later.
