A man has been jailed for nine years after raping a child at a party, in a case that Sheffield Crown Court heard had a lasting impact on the victim. Ammar Moqbal, 32, from Sheffield, was a stranger to the child and gave them alcohol before the incident took place, the court was told.

The victim later left the party and approached a member of the public to ask for help, which led to Moqbal's arrest, according to South Yorkshire Police. Moqbal was found guilty in October of raping a child aged between 13 and 15 and was sentenced on Tuesday. In a victim impact statement read to the court, the child described how the incident had affected many areas of their life.

They said: "That night I was with my friends and could have never known what was about to happen. I found myself in a situation I could not control and as a child could not see a way out of.

"Whilst trying to work through what had happened, I lost the normality of just being in school.

"I couldn't concentrate on my work or studies, as there was not enough head space for me to deal with the trauma I suffered, as well as what others were saying to me."

The victim told the court they now struggle with situations that many people would normally find routine.

They said they would "always struggle to do what most people would not think twice about," including leaving their home or going to unfamiliar places.

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Explaining the impact of the experience, the child compared their feelings to grief.

"I think the best way to describe my state of mind now, is similar to suffering a bereavement," they said.

"It's like I am grieving for the life I feel I have lost. I feel like it's a constant struggle to move my life forward due to the barriers I face now.

"I worry that one day these all of these things will overcome me, what happened will overcome me. I can't and will not allow this to happen. I will not let those who harmed me win, that time is done."

Three other men had also been charged with raping a child aged between 13 and 15 in connection with the case.

However, they were found not guilty in February 2024 and were released with no further action.