Crawley Man Jailed For Sex Attacks On Two Girls

A man from Crawley has sentenced to 13 years imprisonment after being convicted of multiple sexual attacks against two girls over many years.

Azam Haleemdeen, 37, a cleaner, of Broadwalk, Crawley, received the sentence at Hove Crown Court on Friday 26 March.

He faced twelve counts, each of multiple sexual assaults on the two young girls before his conviction at Brighton Crown Court on Thursday 10 December, after a trial.

Police said Haleemdeen began abusing the victims when both were a very young age, and he continued the attacks into their teenage years.

But then they found the courage to report what was happening to teachers at school in October 2019.

The information was handed over to police, who arrested Haleemdeen on the same day.

Detective Sergeant Martin Alchin-Gadd said:

"Our investigation found that Haleemdeen had over a period of time some seven years ago gained the confidence of the two vulnerable youngsters, using them systematically for his own sexual gratification until they found the courage to speak out.

"We praise them for coming forward, supporting our investigation, and giving evidence in court.

"Reports of this nature are always taken seriously and we prioritise the safeguarding of victims whilst seeking prosecutions in every case that we can.

"Any young person who is victim of such terrible offending can report to a trusted adult - including school teachers as in this case, to the NSPCC, or directly to the police."