Three predatory men have been convicted today, 20 August, at Plymouth Crown Court for raping vulnerable teenage girls. The older men deliberately targeted four girls, using drink and drugs at house parties to carry out their attacks.
Horrific Abuse Uncovered After BBC Drama Sparks Reports
The abuse came to light after a young witness, inspired by the BBC drama Three Girls about the Rochdale child sexual exploitation (CSE) case, bravely stepped forward. She reported party scenes in Plymouth from 2017 where girls were plied with alcohol and given money to buy drugs, making them easy targets for grooming and assault.
Devon & Cornwall Police launched Operation Garcia in 2017, a lengthy probe into these crimes. Four men were charged, with three convicted of rape today, while one was cleared of sexual assault.
The Guilty: Salih, Kahya & Anantharajah
- Abalzaq Salih, 31, Plymouth – guilty of two counts of rape of a girl aged 15 or under.
- Saif Kahya, 32, from Liverpool – convicted of one count of rape of a girl aged 16 or over.
- Anthony Anantharajah, 35, London – guilty of one count of rape of a girl aged 16 or over.
The fourth man, Moussa Ahmadou, 45, from Plymouth, was found not guilty.
Shocking Details of Grooming and Assault
Prosecutor Dan Pawson-Pounds told the court these men exploited a “power imbalance” by targeting girls aged 14 to 16 at parties organised by the defendants in 2017. Their plan was to isolate the victims from family, supply alcohol and drugs, then sexually assault them while they were vulnerable.
“These girls voluntarily entered the world created for them by these men. A world of parties where they were made to feel grown-up but ended up abused. The defendants hoped their victims would be too scared, ashamed or intoxicated to tell anyone.”
At one party, Anantharajah plied a 16-year-old girl with alcohol until she fell asleep, before raping her. Another victim, under 15, woke up terrified to find Salih attacking her. Kahya raped a 16-year-old girl at a separate party.
Relentless Police Work Brings Justice
The men were arrested between February 2017 and July 2018 but initially denied all allegations. Detectives worked tirelessly, piecing together victim accounts, witness statements, and digital evidence over years.
Plymouth’s Temporary Chief Superintendent Scott Bradley praised the victims’ bravery. He said: “Without their courage, we wouldn’t have secured these convictions. This is the result of years of dedicated police work and partnership with social care and charities.”
Support for Victims
If this story affects you, help is available:
- Visit victimcare-dc.org for support and advice.
- Call Victim Support on 08 08 16 89 111.
- Contact Devon & Cornwall Police Victim Care Unit: 01392 475900.
- National Rape Crisis Helpline: 0808 802 9999.
- Devon and Cornwall Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC): 0300 3034626.
For more information, visit www.dc.police.uk/Rape-SexualAssault.
