Rapist shopkeeper attacked girl in Bootle after giving her free vapes

Saidi Hussain initially denied any sexual contact until confronted with DNA evidence on the victim's clothing, prosecutors say

A shopkeeper who raped a girl after giving her free vapes has been jailed.

Saidi Hussain, 24, was described as having "no regard for his victim" by prosecutors after ignoring the 17-year-old's pleas to stop the assault at a shop in Bootle, Merseyside in 2022.

He originally denied any sexual contact but after DNA samples were found he said it was consensual, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said.

Hussain was sentenced to nine years after a trial at Liverpool Crown Court.

Jurors heard how he had given the girl vapes on a number of occasions and she said he had "seemed friendly".

On 5 March 2022, he had given her another free vape and she left the shop but returned with a friend to ask if she could get another vape for him.

'Courage and strength'

Hussain then told her to follow him into the back of the shop while he got the product, which she did "out of trust", the CPS said.

He instead attacked her, ignoring her pleas for him to stop.

The CPS said Hussain denied any sexual contact however DNA samples from the victim's clothing matched his and he changed his story to say all sexual activity was consensual.

He was found guilty of two counts of rape and sexual assault.

Hussain will remain on the sex offenders' register indefinitely and a restraining order prevents him from contacting the victim.

Senior Crown Prosecutor Sarah Egan said: "Saidi Hussain had no regard for his victim, only his own sexual gratification.

"We would like to thank her for the courage and strength she has shown throughout the proceedings, as well as the other parties involved who have helped us bring this prosecution to a successful conclusion."