Rosana Awan, a former cheerleading coach convicted of grooming and abusing a teenage girl, faced a setback as her appeal to shorten her 10-year sentence was denied. The Court of Appeal dismissed her arguments about her ADHD diagnosis and her age during the offences, affirming the severity of her crimes.
Awan, 34, abused her victim over two years, committing “hundreds of incidents” of sexual abuse. Despite claiming her ADHD and personal circumstances, such as recent motherhood, as reasons for leniency, the judges didn’t budge. They underscored the significant psychological damage inflicted on the victim, labelling the case a “classic example of grooming.”
The abuse was reported back in 2019, but Awan’s trial was delayed multiple times, eventually concluding in October 2024, due to Covid-era backlogs. Even though she cited these delays and the impact on her young child, the court found her arguments unpersuasive. Throughout her trial, Awan’s husband stood by her, and their child is currently in the care of social services but maintains contact with her mother.
Awan also received a 10-year restraining order and a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and remains on the sex offenders register for life. This case continues to highlight the seriousness of grooming offences and the justice system’s commitment to supporting victims.
Support services, like Rape Crisis, are available for anyone affected by similar issues. If you need help, you can reach them at www.rapecrisis.org.uk or phone 0808 802 9999.