Three teenage boys were convicted of sexual offences against two girls and, in May 2026, were given community sentences, causing public outcry about the leniency of the judge.

Josie is a Graduate Solicitor Apprentice in our Child Abuse team. She’s worked in the legal industry for two years.
Switalskis Solicitors Ltd
Floor 9 West Village, 114 Wellington Street
Leeds
LS1 1BA
Josie is currently working in our Child Abuse department as part of her training. She supports the child abuse team in helping people with compensation claims, primarily where they have been sexually abused.
Josie previously worked in the Court of Protection team for four years, where she was involved in cases concerning individuals deemed to lack capacity to make certain decisions relating to their health and welfare.
Josie is completing a Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeship at the firm with the University of Law. As part of the apprenticeship, Josie is studying for the SQE with a view to qualifying as a solicitor.
Josie works on cases with the utmost care and attention to detail, always striving to achieve the best possible outcome for clients.
Josie is compassionate toward clients and always maintains professional standards.
Josie graduated with an English Literature and Philosophy degree from the University of Birmingham and joined the firm in 2021. She completed a Graduate Diploma in Law with BPP University.
Josie has experience in attending court with counsel, meeting with clients, preparing advice, drafting court documents, attending round table meetings and instructing counsel.
Whilst working in the Court of Protection department, Josie worked on a number of cases where clients were successful in challenging their deprivation of liberty, as per the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, and has been able to move back into their own home.
"“Thank you for all your support with this. Please pass my thanks onto the rest of the team too. As I said on the phone, I am sure I will work with you all again soon!”
Court of Protection Health and Welfare Client

Three teenage boys were convicted of sexual offences against two girls and, in May 2026, were given community sentences, causing public outcry about the leniency of the judge.
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A trial has started at Sheffield Crown Court against two men, Bawan Harwe, 28, and Sharam Muhamadi, 21, accused of grooming and sexually abusing seven girls in Doncaster. Prosector Claire Holmes said that all seven of the girls were given money and drugs and were intimidated into doing what the men wanted.
Four men have been convicted of the sexual abuse of a teenage girl in Kirklees and Wakefield between 1994 and 2000, when the girl was between 13 and 20.