Source: South Yorkshire Police published on this website Thursday 11 July 2026 by Jill Powell
Today (Thursday 11 June) a man has been handed a sentence of 32-years in prison after seven girls bravely testified about the horrific abuse they were subjected to.
Bawan Hawre was found guilty following a four-week long trial at Sheffield Crown Court, for a string of offences relating to child sexual exploitation. The jury reached their verdict on Tuesday (9 June) after only one day of deliberating.
During the trial the second defendant, Sharam Muhamadi, was also found guilty of multiple modern slavery offences.
The dedicated investigation was led by the multi-agency investigation team in Barnsley, BSAFE, with colleagues from SYP’s Barnsley Child Sexual Exploitation Team and Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council.
The investigation began in August 2024, after one victim courageously disclosed the abuse she has endured. Six more girls were then identified through extensive enquiries.
Hawre used the fake name 'Karo', with Muhamadi using 'Jack', in all communication with the girls, initially making contact with them through a social media messaging platform where they offered them e-cigarettes and vapes.
The two men then arranged to meet the girls in person, where the girls were transported from Barnsley to Doncaster.
The jury heard how the girls were given alcohol and drugs, after which six of the girls were raped by Hawre.
During the sentencing today, some of the victim's personal statements were read out, highlighting the effects the disgusting abuse has had, and will continue to have, on their lives.
During her sentencing remarks, Her Honour Judge Sarah Wright commented on the bravery of the girls:
“[the girls have] shown incredible bravely coming forward. They have shown immeasurable courage giving evidence to the police and at court. Their bravery in speaking up knowing that they will be asked about intimate details is considerable and cannot be underestimated."
Bawan Hawre, 28, formerly of Hexthorpe Road, Doncaster, was sentenced to for:
- Six counts of arranging or facilitating travel of another person with a view of exploitation
- Two counts of rape of a girl under 13
- Four counts of rape of a girl aged 13/14/15
- Two counts of adult meeting a girl under 16 years of age following grooming
- Two counts of false imprisonment
- Three counts of possession indecent images
A manhunt is currently underway to locate 21-year-old Sharam Muhamadi and we will not stop until we find him. Our officers have been working relentlessly, exploring every single line of enquiry with determination to secure justice for the victims. More detail on Muhamadi's whereabouts after he failed
