FAQIR MOHAMMED

ELDERLY BRADFORD SEX OFFENDER AVOIDS JAIL AFTER VICTIM'S FORGIVING NOTE

A chronically-ill sex offender has avoided a prison “death sentence” after his young victim wrote a note saying she forgives him.

Judge Colin Burn told 84-year-old Faqir Mohammed that his own ill health, and that of his wife, would not have been a barrier to him receiving an immediate prison sentence for his crimes, but the comments from the victim played an important role in the decision.

“Incredibly, as prosecution has pointed out, she has forgiven you for this offending,” said the judge.

Mohammed, residing on Parsonage Road, Bradford, was convicted by a jury at Bradford Crown Court on seven charges related to his sexual touching of the complainant after a trial last November.

The complainant’s evidence was described as “clear, cogent and compelling,” and her note was regarded as a powerful and graceful statement from a young girl.

In the note, she expressed her desire for Mohammed to know that his actions were wrong but stated she did not want him to go to prison.

Barrister Christopher Dunn, representing Mohammed, emphasized his client's frail health, arguing that imprisonment could be fatal for him.

“This is an 84-year-old incredibly frail and dangerously ill man who on any view is in a position where Your Honour can see that a sentence of imprisonment could be the coup de grace,” he said.

The judge noted that Mohammed had no previous convictions and was of good character overall.

He sentenced him to two years' imprisonment, suspended for two years, with additional conditions including a six-month electronically monitored home curfew from 8 pm to 7 am, participation in up to 40 days of rehabilitation, a 10-year sexual harm prevention order, and registration as a sex offender for ten years.