Legal News

A court has banned seven men from Birmingham from going near girls under the age of 18 unless they are personally associated with them, after Birmingham City Council and West Midlands Police staged a joint child protection initiative over concerns a 17-year-old girl in care was at risk of child sexual exploitation.

The Family Division of the High Court in London heard police followed the girl and found her to be “inappropriately” in the company of men.

Action was taken against the men involved through the civil court, in what is being described as an innovative approach to child protection.

If the men breach the terms of the court order imposed on them, they could be arrested, tried for contempt of court and may face jail.

Birmingham City Council has been at the centre of controversy over failings in its child protection services – however, it is the first time an injunction has been used in this way to protect youngsters from sexual exploitation.

Civil proceedings are underway against 10 men suspected of child sexual exploitation. The court has allowed the six of the seven men subject to the injunction to be named in the public interest.

BBC News reports that following the hearing, Mr Justice Keehan made public the identities of Mohammed Anjam, 31, from Aston in Birmingham, Omar Ahmed, 27, from Yardley, Mohammed Javed, 34, from Tyseley, Alam Shah, 37, from Small Heath, Sajid Hussain, 40, from Warwick Road in Birmingham and Naseem Khan, 29, from Bordesley Green.

The seventh man cannot be named for legal reasons and images of the men will not be made public, police said.

The men will not be able to contact the girl at the centre of the case until she is 18.

Duncan Lewis Criminal Lawyers

Duncan Lewis criminal lawyers can advise at any stage of a criminal charge – including charges relating to sexual offences such as rape, sexual assault, child abuse, revenge, living off immoral earnings and making, downloading or distributing indecent images.

Duncan Lewis criminal lawyers are available 24/7, 365 days a year and regularly visit police stations, courts and prisons to advise on sexual offences – including youth courts and Young Offender Institutions.

For expert legal advice and representation for interview under caution, call Duncan Lewis crime lawyers on 020 7923 4020.
For out-of-hours legal representation, call the Duncan Lewis Crime Lawyers Out-of-Hours Hotline on 07920 077057.