In 2026, the Offender Database reported that Rosana Awan, then 34, of Leicester, Leicestershire, lost her appeal to reduce a 10-year prison sentence for the systematic sexual abuse of a 13-year-old girl. In February 2026, Lady Justice Andrews and two other senior judges at the Court of Appeal ruled that the decade-long term was appropriate for what they described as a “classic case of grooming” involving hundreds of incidents.
The investigation established that Awan, a former cheerleading coach, exploited her position of authority over several years, starting when she was in her mid-20s. The prosecution reported that Awan used her role to separate the victim from her peers, offering lifts and taking her to competitions in France and across the UK. During these trips, Awan shared hotel rooms and beds with the 13-year-old, where she carried out multiple acts of sexual touching and digital penetration. The victim, Nia Durant, who later waived her anonymity, reported the “hundreds of incidents” to Leicestershire Police in 2019, leading to Awan’s eventual conviction on four counts of sexual activity with a child.
Judicial Findings and Appeal Ruling
Lady Justice Andrews emphasised that while the sentence was “undoubtedly severe,” it accurately reflected the “severe psychological harm” inflicted on the survivor. The court reported that Awan’s legal team attempted to overturn the sentence by citing her recent ADHD diagnosis, her age at the time of the offences, and the impact of the 10-year term on her young daughter, who was born during the legal proceedings and placed into social services’ care. The appeal judges rejected these arguments, emphasising that the gravity of the predatory behaviour outweighed the personal mitigation offered.
The prosecution emphasised that the case suffered significant delays, with Awan first appearing in court in 2020, before her trial was repeatedly delayed due to the pandemic backlog. Awan was finally sentenced in October 2024 at Leicester Crown Court. The judge emphasised that the coach had manipulated the trust of both the victim and her family to facilitate an environment of abuse. For her crimes in Leicester, the court determined that the long-term protection of the public—and the recognition of the victim’s ordeal—justified the maximum sentencing guidelines.
Sentence and Statutory Requirements
For her crimes in Leicestershire, Rosana Awan was handed:
- Custodial Sentence: 10 years in immediate custody (upheld on appeal).
- SHPO: A 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
- Restraining Order: A 10-year order prohibiting contact with the victim.
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements are in effect for life.
- Convictions: Four counts of sexual activity with a child and one count of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Awan is managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) by Leicestershire Police and the prison estate. Due to her history of using sports coaching to facilitate grooming and sexual violence, her status remains under the highest level of scrutiny.
As a lifetime member of the Sex Offenders Register, Awan must comply with mandatory notification requirements regarding her residence and any involvement with youth organisations. Authorities state that her SHPO is a critical tool to ensure she is never again allowed to hold a position of trust involving children. Any breach of her registration conditions or her licence terms upon her eventual release will result in her immediate return to Leicester Crown Court.
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