Cheerleading coach jailed for abusing teenage girl

A coach has been jailed for sexual offences committed against a teenage cheerleader.

Rosanna Awan was in her 20s when she started giving the 13-year-old girl lifts to and from cheer practice, which escalated to sharing hotel rooms on trips, and then sexual activity.

Awan was sentenced at Leicester Crown Court to 10 years in jail on her 34th birthday on Wednesday.

Following the sentencing, Leicestershire Police said Awan's behaviour had been "predatory".

Det Con Catherine Anderson praised her victim for her bravery in coming forward and urged anyone in the same position to speak with police.

At a trial at the same court in October, Awan, of Hidcote Road, Oadby, had been found guilty of four counts of sexual activity with a child and one count of inciting sexual activity with a child.

Police said the offences were reported to them in 2019.

After giving lifts to her victim, Awan began taking her to competitions out of the county, sharing a hotel room, and often sharing a bed.

The force said Awan began abusing her victim, touching her inappropriately under her clothing.

On a trip to France to watch a cheerleading competition, Awan began to engage in sexual activity with her.

This led to frequent meetings between the two of them, meeting at Awan's home or at the homes of her relatives.

On Wednesday, Awan was jailed and made the subject of a 10-year restraining order and a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Police added she would also be a registered sex offender for life.

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