A sexual predator who grabbed a 13-year-old girl, covered her mouth and dragged her towards bushes while claiming he had a knife and gun has been jailed for more than nine years. Mohammed Younas, 31, targeted the schoolgirl as she made her way home alone in Basildon, Essex, on April 30. The teenager had spent the day shopping and roller-skating with a friend before heading home. As she reached Parkside, Younas approached and followed her before asking whether she “wanted a push”. When the girl refused, Younas grabbed her, covered her mouth and forced her towards an area of bushes while claiming he was armed with a knife and gun. The attack lasted only moments before Younas threw the girl’s phone and fled. She managed to run home and immediately told her mother, who contacted police.
DNA on girl’s shoe identified attacker
Detectives launched an investigation involving forensic examinations, house-to-house enquiries and patrols in the area. By May 3, DNA recovered from the victim’s shoe had been matched to Younas, making him the prime suspect. Officers arrested him at his home in Bearsted Drive, Pitsea. A subsequent search of the property uncovered evidence linked to drug dealing. Police recovered a burner phone, cannabis plants and around 132g of cannabis with an estimated value of £780. Officers also discovered 66g of cocaine, estimated to be worth between £2,800 and £3,400.
Younas initially denied attack
Younas initially denied wrongdoing and claimed the girl had roller-skated into his car. His account was rejected after forensic evidence and the teenager’s consistent account placed him at the scene. Younas later admitted kidnap, engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, drug supply offences and possession of criminal property. He appeared at Basildon Crown Court on Wednesday, August 5, where he was sentenced to nine years and two months in prison. Younas will also be subject to an extended licence period of three years. The court imposed a restraining order and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
Victim says attack will affect her ‘for the rest of my life’
In a statement describing the lasting impact of the attack, the girl said: “No matter how hard I try, it is always in my mind.” She said what happened “will affect me for the rest of my life”. Her mother praised officers for their rapid response and the care shown towards her daughter during the investigation. She particularly thanked PC Lily Dyer for her “kindness and support”, saying the help her daughter received played an important role in allowing her to return to school. PC Dyer praised the teenager’s “remarkable courage” and said investigators had pursued “every available investigative opportunity” to identify and arrest Younas within days. She said she hoped the sentence would provide the girl and her family with “some measure of comfort”.
