Woman branded 'sexual predator' tormented one of her victims using fake Facebook accounts to send cruel messages

South Tyneside woman Selina Sharafi has been put behind bars after her past life as a "sexual predator" was exposed by her brave victims.

Sharafi, now a mature student, was a child herself when she subjected her victims to shocking abuse that has blighted the rest of their lives.

The now 37-year-old, of Devon Road, Hebburn, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court.

After the brave victims found the courage to pursue their case to court and give evidence, Sharafi tracked one of them down online and taunted her by using 11 fake Facebook accounts to send cruel messages.

In an impact statement the complainant said Sharafi "was a sexual predator" and that her ordeal had an "unbearable" effect on the rest of her life.

She said the torment from Sharafi continued in the recent past and added: "She would frequently message me from fake Facebook accounts.

"She would pretend to be people I know, saying she had heard about the accusations, saying I was weird and sick and no-one liked me or believed me."

The other victim said in her statement: "She took away my worth, privacy, time, safety, intimacy, confidence, my own voice - until today.

"She has no idea how hard I have worked to rebuild parts of me that are still weak.

"What she did doesn't expire, it doesn't just go away after a set number of years.

"It stays with me, it is part of my permanent identity. It has forever changed the way I carry myself and the way I live the rest of my life."

Sharafi was convicted of five offences of indecent assault after a trial.

Prosecutor Paul Cleasby said Sharafi poses a "continued risk" and added: "The defendant continues to deny her offending. The risk, say the prosecution, is still evident."

Judge Robert Adams jailed Sharafi for 20 months and said she must sign the sex offenders register for ten years.

The judge made a restraining order to keep Sharafi away from her victims for life.

Judge Adams said the case was "very unusual" and told Sharafi: "It is suggested you gained pleasure from what took place and preyed on their vulnerability. To an extent that must be right."

The judge added: "I have no doubt that as an adult you have not re-offended in any way like this and have led a fairly constructive and sensible life since the age of 18."

Deborah Smithies, defending, had urged the judge to suspend the prison sentence and said Sharafi had a troubled early life.

Miss Smithies asked if it was necessary and proportionate to punish Sharafi now with custody, for what she did as a child, ‘to remove her from her family now and send her to immediate custody?’

She added it ‘would be to heap misery on misery and achieve nothing constructive’.

Miss Smithies added: "While she accepts the verdicts returned against her by the jury, she maintains her denial of this offending."