'There were times I felt like I was drowning in silence' - girl tells court as man is sentenced for child grooming

A 26-year-old man who groomed and sexually abused a vulnerable young girl over a prolonged period has been sentenced to sixteen-and-a-half-years in prison today (Friday).

Junedh Ahmed of Shield Close, Oldham, was found guilty of 14 offences at Manchester Crown Court, including rape of a child under the age of 13, taking incident photographs of a child, and causing a child to engage in sexual activity, which concluded on July 26, 2025 with Ahmed being remanded into custody. 

Ahmed must sign the sex offender registry for life and will be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 20 years. He is also subject to an indefinite restraining order. 

Police investigation into Ahmed began when the victim bravely disclosed the abuse to officers at Central Park Police Station. 

Detectives from the complex safeguarding team launched a detailed investigation, which uncovered a disturbing pattern of grooming, coercion, and sexual violence. 

As part of sentencing proceedings, the girl bravely prepared a personal impact statement which was read aloud to the court and included these words: “Jay Ahmed made me lose pieces of my childhood I can never get back. 

“There were times I felt like I was drowning in silence — too scared to speak, too ashamed to ask for help. 

She continued to say: “It’s taken a lot of strength just to speak these words. But I’m speaking to them because I need the court — and the world — to understand what this kind of harm does.” 

Her mother also provided an impact statement, which read: “I have watched my daughter battle pain and confusion no child should ever know. 

As her mother, I have fought every day to remind her she is not broken; she is strong, she is loved, and this was never her fault. 

Jay Ahmed betrayed our trust, damaged a young girl's life, and many other young girls and shook our family to the core.” 

A second girl was also identified as a victim in the case and in relation to her, Ahmed was found guilty of inciting a child under the age of 13 to engage in sexual activity. 

Investigators conducted a thorough digital analysis reviewing social media data, search history, and mobile phone downloads to build a strong evidential package. 

This investigative work was conducted despite Ahmed refusing to provide the PIN code for his mobile phones. As such, he was convicted of a criminal offence under section 53 of RIPA for failing to comply with police investigation by preventing officers from reviewing the data contained on his devices. 

Through the investigation, officers were determined that offences took place between December 2020 and February 2022, during which time Ahmed gained the trust of the victim’s family and used his position to obtain unsupervised access to the child. 

Ahmed proceeded to groom the girl with gifts, alcohol, and emotional manipulation, before subjecting her to repeated sexual abuse and recorded several instances on his mobile device. 

Ahmed was arrested in February 2022 and again in August 2022. Cowardly, he gave no comment in both police interviews and pleaded not guilty to the charges he faced. 

After a jury was presented with a package of evidence, they found Ahmed guilty. 

Detective Constable Emma Davidson, who led the investigation, said: “Ahmed led a calculated and sustained campaign of abuse against a young girl. The courage she has shown — not only in coming forward to report what happened, but in going through the difficult process of a trial — has been extraordinary. 

“Her strength has helped bring a dangerous offender to justice, and we hope this outcome brings her some measure of healing. 

“Our complex safeguarding team was pivotal throughout this case and built strong relationships with the victims and their families throughout the investigation, as well as provided access to tailored support. 

“Having co-located multiagency teams are central to our proactive approach to protecting children and preventing further harm.” 

If you or someone you know has been raped or sexually assaulted, police encourage you not to suffer in silence and report it to them or a support agency so you can get the help available. 

- Saint Mary's Sexual Assault Referral Centre, Manchester provides a comprehensive and co-ordinated response to men, women and children who live or have been sexually assaulted within Greater Manchester. They offer forensic medical examinations, practical and emotional support as well as a counselling service for all ages. Services are available on a 24-hour basis and can be accessed by calling 0161 276 6515. 

- Greater Manchester Rape Crisis is a confidential information, support and counselling service run by women for women over 18 who have been raped or sexually abused at any time in their lives. Call on 0161 273 4500 or email help@manchesterrapecrisis.co.uk 

- Survivors Manchester provides specialist trauma informed support to male victims in Greater Manchester who have experienced sexual abuse, rape or sexual exploitation. Call 0161 236 2182