Victims of a horrific child sexual abuse case have spoken out about the lasting trauma following the conviction and sentencing of Said Daauud, a former agency worker at a Birmingham mosque.
Daauud was found guilty of a sustained campaign of rape and sexual abuse targeting boys as young as nine. Exploiting his position within the mosque community, he groomed five boys—ranging in age up to 14—by buying them sweets, AirPods, gaming devices, and mobile phones to gain their trust before committing these crimes.
Last week at Birmingham Crown Court, Daauud, of Rudgewick Croft, Aston, was sentenced to 16 years in prison and will remain on licence for an additional five years. His convictions include one count of rape, nine counts of sexual assault, and four counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. An indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and restraining orders protecting the victims were also imposed.
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Following the sentencing, police released statements from the victims that reveal the profound betrayal and emotional turmoil they endured. One boy expressed, “Said has betrayed my trust. He was a friend, like a big brother. I now struggle to trust adults because he was someone I trusted as a true friend. This whole situation has made me feel overwhelmed, and I just want things to go back to normal.” Another victim shared their feelings of deep manipulation: “Although I knew it was really wrong, I still tried to see the positives in Said. As time has passed, I understand how he manipulated me and took advantage of me and my body. I feel so betrayed I can’t even describe it.”
Parents also voiced their anguish, with one stating, “Said took advantage of the boys being at the Masjid, a place where children should feel and be safe.”
Daauud, who ceased working at the mosque in February 2022, had continued attending the congregation and was a familiar face. He used social media platforms like WhatsApp and Snapchat to groom victims further, sending over 4,000 messages and coercing at least one boy to send explicit images while normalizing his abusive behavior and manipulating them emotionally.
Detective Sergeant Thomas Finney of West Midlands Police’s public protection unit highlighted Daauud’s complete lack of remorse and the courage it took for the victims to come forward and testify despite being cross-examined. “He exploited his trusted position within the community, even staying overnight in families’ homes and caring for children, only to betray them in the most horrific way.”
The case came to light when one of the boys confided in his family, prompting an investigation supported by mosque management through sharing CCTV footage, statements, and information crucial in securing justice.
D.Sgt Finney concluded, “Thanks to the bravery of the boys and their families and the cooperation of the mosque, we have removed a dangerous predator from our community. Our thoughts remain with the victims as they begin the difficult journey to healing.”