News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Pizza takeaway staff groomed a 13-year-old girl with free food and got her hooked on cocaine before selling her to other men for sex.

Mohammad Rostami, 37, lure the teenager into beginning a sexual relationship with him after they met in a pizza shop in Chelmsford, Essex, before farming her out to other abusers.

After his interest in her fizzled out, she was exploited by Mehdi Zare, 32, who arranged for her to have sex with others in return for drugs and money.

Their crimes came to light after the victim, now a young woman, contacted Essex Police in April 2014 to report she had been abused when she was 13 or 14.

After seeing her abusers jailed today, she told how they had left her feeling "dirty and disgusting" and said she now struggled to trust people.

(Image: Eastnews Press Agency)

Rostami, formerly of Shoeburyness, Essex was found guilty of causing or inciting sexual exploitation of a child aged under 18, two counts of sexual activity with a child aged under 16 and three counts of supplying cocaine, cannabis and mephedrone.

A jury failed to reach a verdict on a count of rape.

He was jailed for 21 years today at Chelmsford Crown Court.

Zare, 32, a pizza deliveryman from Chelmsford, was found guilty of arranging or facilitating sexual exploitation of a child, sexual activity with a child, and three counts of supplying cocaine, cannabis and mephedrone.

He had been cleared of two counts of sexual activity with a child.

He was jailed for 12 years.

(Image: Eastnews Press Agency) (Image: Eastnews Press Agency)

Amin Kaveh, 35, who shared a home with Rostami, also stood trial and was found guilty of supplying a controlled class B drug to the same victim.

He was cleared of assault by penetration, three counts of rape as well and one count of causing or inciting prostitution for gain, which related to another woman.

Speaking after the case concluded, the brave victim said: "I finally feel free.

"I have spent the last few years thinking they wouldn't pay for what they have done to me and others. I never thought anyone would believe me. I now feel a huge weight has been finally lifted from my shoulders.

"What happened has affected me in so many ways, not just physically but mentally and emotionally too.

"I have been on self-destruct mode most of my life. I felt dirty and disgusting, like I did something wrong, and still do.

"I have lost friends and I nearly lost my relationship with my family. I lost relationships as I found it hard to trust not just men but anyone.

"But I am learning day by day that I can't let them beat me. I have now moved away and started afresh and am just getting on with my life the best I can, with the love and support from my amazing boyfriend and my family.”

(Image: Eastnews Press Agency)

The convictions follow a linked investigation into mephedrone dealing.

Essex Police carried out searches of three addresses in Braintree, Shoeburyness and Chelmsford on April 17, 2015.

They seized mephedrone with a street value of around £10,000 from Rostami and Kaveh's flat in Shoeburyness.

Drug bags, the mixing agent monosodium glutamate, and mobile phones linked to dealing were also found at all three addresses.

(Image: Essex Police)

Detective Superintendent Mark Hall said: "Rostami and Zare took advantage of a troubled young girl and exploited her vulnerability.

"Rostami groomed her first with friendship and free food, which quickly degenerated into getting her hooked on drugs and luring her into sex.

"She believed they were in a loving relationship but he farmed her out to other men and used her addiction to drugs as a way of controlling her.

"When he lost interest, Mehdi Zare stepped to take over from where Rostami left off.

"What this young girl endured is beyond comprehension. She has been extremely courageous in coming forward and I pay tribute to her.”

(Image: Eastnews Press Agency)

The victim, who cannot be named, called for anyone suffering abuse to report it.

"If someone is trying to make you do something you either don't want to do or you know is wrong, then please speak to someone as soon as you can," she said.

"You should never be made uncomfortable and made to do anything you don't want to. You can talk to the police, a school teacher or someone that you trust, but please do not allow what happened to me happen to you.

"There are people out there that can help you. You will be believed.

"There are bad people in the world and things do happen. People need to be more aware what is going on around them, and if someone suspects that someone is being exploited in any way then please talk to someone."