Child-rape sentence reignites scrutiny of UK high street mini-marts

Here is the latest breaking news from around the world: Child-rape sentence reignites scrutiny of UK high street mini-marts8 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleEd Thomas ,UK editor ,Rebecca WearnandPatrick ClahaneBBC"This community was destroyed a long time ago," one business owner on Hexthorpe Road told the BBCBeing bribed with vapes and alcohol by mini-mart workers is a "normal" thing to hear about, two schoolgirls tell us on Hexthorpe Rd in Doncaster. They say they are frightened to walk through the area, saying they have heard stories on social media about local girls being targeted. "It makes you scared," one tells us.

Earlier on Thursday, a local mini-mart worker was sentenced to 29 years in jail for raping six children in 2024. Bawan Harwe, a 28-year-old Iraqi national, lured underage girls back to his flat - also on Hexthorpe Road - with the promise of free vapes and cash. Sheffield Crown Court heard Harwe targeted the victims because of their age, plied them with drink and drugs, and raped or abused them.

The Details

The youngest victim was 12 years old. The understands Harwe is seeking asylum but the Home Office says it cannot confirm his status in the UK for legal reasons. A co-worker, Sharam Muhamadi, originally from Iran, has also been convicted of facilitating travel for exploitation.

There is now a manhunt to find him after he fled the trial. The case has thrown a spotlight once again on crimes and illegal activity centred around mini-marts in the UK. investigations have exposed - over the past 18 months - the sale of cocaine and cannabis over the counter at mini-marts, as well as child sexual exploitation, money laundering and immigration crime.

Locals living near Hexthorpe Mini Market, where Harwe and Muhamadi worked, told us they were horrified but not surprised by the pair's crimes. The street, in one of the poorest areas of Doncaster, is lined with such shops. Residents told us that crime in the area was being fuelled by the sale of illegal cigarettes and vapes.

What Experts Say

It is a situation we have seen reflected in many other high streets across the UK. One local woman, who did not wish to be named, told us she thought the area had become "lawless". She remembered confronting Harwe about selling illegal cigarettes in his shop, and threatening to report her concerns to the police.

She said he replied: "Do you think we're scared of police? "Without the mini-marts, she believed, the abuse would never have happened. A local business owner, who also wished to remain anonymous, told us he was "disgusted" when he heard about the girls being drugged and raped.

He said he had reported the sales of illegal tobacco and vapes, under-age sales to children and anti-social behaviour to Doncaster council. Multiple raids at the shop had taken place, he said, but added that it did not seem to affect business. An hour after Trading Standards left they would start selling again "straight away", he said.

The story has become one of the most prominent items on the global agenda.