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The Guardian World1 min read
Child-rape sentence reignites scrutiny of UK high street mini-marts
TL;DR
A mini-mart worker in Doncaster was sentenced to 29 years for raping six children, reigniting concerns about safety in the area. Local schoolgirls report feeling frightened and targeted by workers offering vapes and alcohol.
Key points
- Bawan Harwe sentenced to 29 years for raping six children
- Victims were lured with vapes and cash
- Youngest victim was 12 years old
- Local schoolgirls express fear about safety
- Concerns about targeting by mini-mart workers
Mentioned in this story
Bawan HarweDoncaster
Being 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 youngest victim was 12 years old.
The BBC 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.
BBC 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.
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.
Q&A
What was the sentence given to the mini-mart worker in Doncaster?
The mini-mart worker, Bawan Harwe, was sentenced to 29 years in jail for raping six children.
How did Bawan Harwe lure his victims?
Bawan Harwe lured underage girls to his flat by offering them free vapes and cash.
What age were the victims of the Doncaster mini-mart worker?
The youngest victim was 12 years old, and Harwe targeted girls based on their age.
What concerns have local schoolgirls expressed about safety in Doncaster?
Local schoolgirls reported feeling frightened and unsafe, citing stories on social media about being targeted by mini-mart workers.
