AMAD SHEIKH FROM ABERDEEN ESCAPES PRISON AFTER SEXUAL ASSAULT ON TEENAGE GIRL

A 49-year-old man named Amdad Sheikh, who worked as a tandoori chef in Aberdeen, narrowly avoided a prison sentence after being convicted of serious sexual offenses involving a 14-year-old girl. Sheikh appeared before Aberdeen Sheriff Court to face sentencing following his conviction at trial for engaging in inappropriate and sexual touching of the young girl, who was employed at the same Indian restaurant in Aberdeenshire where he worked.

During the proceedings, it was revealed that Sheikh had repeatedly embraced the girl during his employment, crossing boundaries that are both morally and legally unacceptable. On one particularly disturbing occasion, he seized her by the body in an attempt to kiss her on the lips, an act that caused significant distress and fear. The court also heard that Sheikh had behaved in a threatening and abusive manner towards three other teenage girls working at the restaurant alongside him. His conduct included shouting at them in a manner that caused them to feel intimidated and alarmed, further demonstrating a pattern of aggressive behavior.

Throughout the court session, Sheikh maintained his innocence, but his demeanor was highly agitated. He was visibly upset, shouting and ranting in Bengali, which prompted Sheriff Lesley Johnston to order him to remain silent. The sheriff described the offenses as 'serious,' especially considering the victim's age, and emphasized the gravity of the misconduct.

Sheikh’s defense lawyer, Lynn Bentley, argued that her client denied any criminal conduct and raised concerns about his mental state, suggesting that he might have been affected by issues stemming from a recent traffic accident. She also clarified that Sheikh had no previous convictions, which may have influenced the court’s decision.

In a significant decision, Sheriff Johnston chose not to impose a custodial sentence. Instead, Sheikh was sentenced to a community payback order that includes 12 months of supervision, 200 hours of unpaid work, and a one-year period on the sex offenders register. Sheikh was visibly upset and continued to protest his innocence as he was led from the court, but the court’s ruling reflected the seriousness of his actions and the need for supervision and monitoring to protect the community.