BRISTOL, (Zahid anwar Mirza) – Three Afghan nationals and a 17-year-old boy have been sentenced to a combined 36 years in prison following the sexual assault of a 17-year-old girl who was lured to Bristol through Snapchat.

The case was heard at Bristol Crown Court, where the court was told that 21-year-old Mehrab Safi first met the victim while she was Christmas shopping in Bristol in November 2025.

Safi subsequently remained in contact with the girl through Snapchat and asked her to send inappropriate photographs. A few days later, Safi and 19-year-old Salman Habib Khail arranged for the girl to travel to Bristol by taxi, before taking her to Safi’s home.

According to police, the girl was given alcohol after arriving at the property and was subsequently sexually assaulted and subjected to violence over several hours by Safi, Habib Khail, 19-year-old Awal Ahmadzai and a 17-year-old boy.

Police were alerted after the girl’s mother reported her missing. Officers attended the property and rescued the victim, while the 17-year-old suspect was arrested at the scene.

The three adult suspects fled the property and attempted to leave the UK for France. They were later arrested in France and returned to the United Kingdom to face the charges.

The court also heard that evidence recovered from the defendants’ mobile phones showed searches relating to the incident and the subsequent criminal proceedings.

Safi was sentenced to 15 years in prison, while Salman Habib Khail received nine years and Awal Ahmadzai was sentenced to nine years in custody. The 17-year-old defendant was sentenced to three years in detention.

All four defendants were also placed on the Sex Offenders Register and were made subject to orders restricting contact with children.

A statement from the victim was read to the court, describing the profound impact the incident had on her life, education and social activities.

Senior Investigating Officer Matt Cable said the defendants had targeted a young and vulnerable girl and warned that the trauma caused by the incident could remain with her for many years.

The case highlights the serious risks posed by online contact with vulnerable young people and the importance of reporting concerns involving the exploitation or abuse of children.