Two Merseyside men jailed for sexual offences against a child
Amine Berhe and Bilal Azzi were found guilty earlier this week
Two men were jailed today, Friday 8 March, for a total of 12 years in prison for sexual offences against a child.
Amine Berhe, 29 years, and Bilal Azzi, 28 years, were found guilty by a trial by jury at Liverpool Crown Court earlier this week.
The court heard that in May last year the defendants met a 14-year-old girl in Liverpool city centre and took her back to an address in Sefton where the offences were committed.
Detectives charged Berhe and Azzi with detaining a child so as to keep her from lawful control and penetrative sexual activity with a child aged 13-15. Azzi was also charged with making an indecent image of a child.
At today’s sentencing Berhe, of no fixed address, was sentenced to five years and six months in prison, and Azzi from Netherton was jailed for six years and six months years.
The judge also issued a 10-year restraining order, and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for life.
Speaking after the court sentencing, Detective Constable Neil Davies who led the investigation said: “Despite the evidence against both defendants, Berhe and Azzi chose to plead not guilty and put their victim through the ordeal of a trial. Consequently, a jury found them both guilty of child sex offences after a week-long trial which concluded on Tuesday.
“I would like to praise the courage and dignity shown by the victim throughout the investigation to bring them before the courts. Today they have both been given lengthy custodial sentences, and they are now behind bars and can no longer cause harm to children.”
Merseyside Police works with partner organisations including other UK forces, agencies and the Child Exploitation Online Protection centre as well as law enforcement agencies across the world who share our determination to protect children from dangerous offenders.
Detective Inspector Gavin Mulcahy added: “We have specialist officers who are dedicated to investigating these crimes, bringing those responsible before the courts and ultimately protecting young people from unimaginable suffering.
“I would like to take this opportunity to stress that if you have experienced any form of sexual abuse, or know of a child being abused, please come forward and report this to police.
“We take all such reports extremely seriously and if you can find the courage to come forward and speak to us we have specially trained officers who will treat you with sensitivity and compassion.” First for all the latest news from across the UK every hour on Hits Radio on DAB, at hitsradio.co.uk and on the Hits Radio app.