ATIF SIDDIQUE GROOMED AND ASSAULTED 14-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN HUDDERSFIELD AND CROWDON

In a case that has shocked the community of Huddersfield, Atif Siddique, a 24-year-old man from Bulay Road, Thornton Lodge, was found guilty of grooming and sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. The incident unfolded over a period of several months, culminating in a meeting in Croydon where Siddique assaulted the girl in a hotel room. Despite the gravity of his actions, Siddique was spared a custodial sentence, receiving only a fine and a brief period of detention.

According to court records, Siddique initially convinced the young girl that he was only four years older than her, which he used as a justification for their interactions. He denied any wrongdoing, claiming that his intentions were honorable and that he planned to marry her once she turned 18. However, the court found sufficient evidence to convict him of sexual assault, which took place between May 5 and June 30 of the previous year.

During the proceedings, Siddique insisted that he was innocent and dismissed the allegations as “a pack of lies.” He told police after his arrest that the girl had told him she was 15, but he was unsure of her age. He admitted to kissing and cuddling her in the hotel, describing the act as mutual. He also revealed that he had encouraged her to skip school and had traveled to Croydon on three separate occasions for dates, including a trip to the cinema.

The court heard that the pair had communicated extensively online via Skype before their face-to-face meeting. Siddique admitted to booking the hotel at her request and expressed regret if his actions were considered criminal, stating, “If I knew kissing and cuddling was a crime I wouldn’t have done it.” The girl testified that during their time in the hotel, they engaged in French kissing and cuddling, and that the encounter lasted approximately three hours.

In addition to the fine of £185, with £400 in costs and a £15 victim surcharge, Siddique was ordered to sign the sex offenders register for five years. At the time of sentencing, he was also detained by the UK Border Agency, but was allowed to serve a single day in custody as an alternative to imprisonment. The case has raised serious concerns about grooming and online safety, especially given the location of the offender in Huddersfield and the subsequent meeting in Croydon.