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Two schoolgirls from Hexthorpe Road in Doncaster describe being regularly offered vapes and alcohol by workers at local mini-markets, calling it a “normal” occurrence. They express fear about passing through the area, citing stories circulating on social media about girls from the neighbourhood being specifically targeted, which one of them said, “makes you scared.”
At the centre of recent criminal proceedings is Bawan Harwe, a 28-year-old Iraqi man who used promises of free vapes and cash to lure underage girls back to his flat on the same street. At Sheffield Crown Court, it emerged that Harwe deliberately targeted victims because of their youth, providing them with drink and drugs before subjecting them to rape and abuse. The youngest identified victim was just 12 years old. While it is understood Harwe is seeking asylum, officials from the Home Office would not confirm his immigration status due to legal restrictions.
Another figure connected to these events is Sharam Muhamadi, originally from Iran and a co-worker of Harwe, who has been convicted of aiding travel for exploitation. Muhamadi fled during the trial, prompting an active police search. This case has cast renewed attention on the broader issue of crime and illegal trade activities linked with mini-markets across the UK. Investigations by the BBC over the past year and a half have revealed these shops are frequently involved in selling cocaine and cannabis openly, along with other forms of criminality such as child sexual exploitation, money laundering, and immigration violations.
Residents near Hexthorpe Mini Market, where both Harwe and Muhamadi were employed, expressed shock at the crimes but said they were not completely surprised. This street is situated in one of the poorest parts of Doncaster and features many similar mini-markets. Locals say illegal sales of cigarettes and vapes contribute heavily to ongoing crime problems. One woman described the area as “lawless,” recalling occasions when she confronted Harwe about the sale of illegal cigarettes, to which he replied, “Do you think we’re scared of police?” She firmly believes that without these mini-markets, the abuses would not have taken place. A separate local business owner, who preferred to remain anonymous, revealed he reported multiple instances of underage sales and anti-social behaviour to the council but found that police raids had little lasting effect on the illicit trade, with illegal products reportedly back on sale shortly after enforcement officers left.
Repeated visits by police and Trading Standards to Hexthorpe Mini Market have been reported by several people, who have witnessed bags of illegal cigarettes being removed from the premises. South Yorkshire Police confirmed ongoing enforcement efforts at the location, though City of Doncaster Council declined to comment due to active investigations. Undercover BBC researchers successfully purchased counterfeit cigarettes costing £4 for a pack of 20 from the shop, as well as illegal tobacco from another nearby mini-market.
The trial revealed that a man called “Karzan” played a role in arranging work and accommodation for Harwe and Muhamadi. Locals frequently mentioned this name, although it does not appear on official business records for the mini-market. Karzan Hussein, who holds the alcohol licence for two other Doncaster businesses, confirmed to the BBC over the phone that he had offered jobs to Muhamadi and housing to both men but denies involvement in any illegal sales or knowledge of the criminal abuse uncovered. There is no evidence linking Hussein to the abuse directly. The wider investigation highlights a troubling pattern across the UK, with previous reports identifying mini-marts and vape shops as venues where child exploitation has occurred, often involving the offer of drugs, alcohol, or cigarettes to vulnerable children.
Legal experts and survivor advocates stress that shops like these have been overlooked by police and Trading Standards. David Greenwood, a solicitor representing abuse survivors, argues that the government inquiry into grooming must include a specific focus on high street shops to address this blind spot. While Trading Standards teams have welcomed this push, locals express skepticism about efforts to remove criminal gangs from entrenched commercial areas such as Hexthorpe Road. One business owner lamented that many former customers have left the neighbourhood, which he described grimly: “This community was destroyed a long time ago.” He also noted that some shops are now illegally selling prescription medications, including antidepressants and weight loss drugs, adding another layer to the serious challenges faced by residents on that street
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
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