Crawler Cleaner Jailed for Sick Sex Abuse of Two Young Girls
Azam Haleemdeen, 37, a cleaner from Broadwalk, Crawley, was slammed with a 13-year prison sentence at Hove Crown Court on Friday, March 26. He was convicted of 12 counts of multiple sexual assaults against two young girls. The guilty verdict came after a trial at Brighton Crown Court on December 10 last year.
Abuse Went On for Years Before Victims Spoke Out
The horrific abuse began when the girls were very young and dragged on into their teenage years. It wasn’t until October 2019 that they found the courage to alert their teachers, who immediately contacted the police. Haleemdeen was arrested the very same day.
Police Praise Brave Victims, Warn Others to Speak Up
“Our investigation found Haleemdeen gained the confidence of these vulnerable youngsters around seven years ago and then used them for his own sick sexual gratification,” said Detective Sergeant Martin Alchin-Gadd.
“We praise the victims for coming forward, supporting our investigation, and giving evidence in court. Reports like this are always taken seriously. We focus on protecting victims while pursuing prosecutions in every case possible.”
DS Alchin-Gadd added a crucial message for youngsters suffering in silence: they should tell a trusted adult — whether a teacher, the NSPCC, or the police — to stop abuse in its tracks.
For more advice on preventing and reporting child sexual offences, visit the Sussex Police website.
