Man sentenced after abducting a child

A man has been sentenced for abducting a child after he was issued with a Child Abduction Warning Notice.

Kaywan Ahmed was sentenced to almost four years in prison at Leicester Crown Court on Friday (20 August).

In 2019, 31-year-old Ahmed of Highfield Street, Leicester, was issued with a Child Abduction Warning Notice (CAWN) by police when he was found in the company of a 13-year-old girl at his home address.

The CAWN was issued to safeguard the girl following concerns by officers and partner agencies that she was being exploited. Its conditions prevented Ahmed (pictured) from communicating with the girl or allowing her to be in his company – either at his home, another location or a vehicle – before she reached 18-years-old.

Officers were contacted in late 2020 regarding concerns that Ahmed was seen outside her address and in March this year, they were able to evidence him meeting her and travelling together into the city.

He was arrested and charged with the offence of taking a child as to remove him/her from a person having lawful control. He pleaded guilty to this offence and a separate assault charge when in January 2020 he threw a glass a bar manager cutting her face. 

Detective Constable Mahzbeen Healy, from the force’s Child Exploitation Team, said: “Despite knowing her age and this notice still being in place, Ahmed continued to meet with the girl.

“He has given the notice no regard as we were able to evidence him collecting the girl, who is now 14, in a taxi before travelling with her to Leicester so he has rightfully has been placed before the courts to face the consequences of this breach.

“Our dedicated team of officers and staff continue to work closely with partners focusing on cases of child exploitation and helping those vulnerable young people who often fall victim to this type of crime.

“It’s important if anyone suspects a child is being exploited, that they report it. You can find out more about child exploitation, and the signs to look out for, here.”