IMRAN PERVEZ AND ZAHER KHAN HORRIFY ACCRINGTON IN CHILD RAPE AND ABDUCTION CASE

In a deeply disturbing case that has shocked the community of Accrington, a dangerous sexual predator, Imran Pervez, 27, has been sentenced to nine years in prison after being found guilty of abducting and raping a 12-year-old girl. The incident took place in July of 2009, and the court heard harrowing details of the attack that has left the young victim traumatized for life.

Pervez, a resident of Pendle Street in Accrington, is notably the brother of Yasira Pervez, a woman who was sentenced to life imprisonment in December for conspiring to murder her husband in an arranged marriage. The case against Imran Pervez revealed a pattern of reckless and predatory behavior. At the time of the assault, he was on license from prison, having been released just seven weeks earlier after serving half of a four-year sentence for drug offenses involving heroin and cocaine possession and supply.

The court was told that the young girl, who was staying at a friend’s house, was out in Blackburn with two 14-year-old girls for the first time when they encountered Pervez and his co-accused, Zaheer Khan, at approximately midnight on July 25. The group spent around six hours driving through the areas of Hyndburn and Blackburn, during which all the girls were given alcohol, and one of the older girls was also supplied with cocaine. The girls engaged in sexual activities during this time, according to the prosecution.

By early morning, around 6 am, the two older girls and Zaheer Khan, 25, of Clifton Street, Accrington, exited the vehicle in Oswaldtwistle. Meanwhile, Pervez drove to an alley behind Barden Road in Accrington. It was there that he demanded the 12-year-old girl perform a sexual act on him before sexually assaulting her. The court heard that Pervez forcibly kept the girl in the car, covering her mouth to prevent her from screaming, and threatened her with death if she tried to escape.

Following his guilty plea to charges of child abduction, rape, and sexual assault of a child under 13, Pervez was sentenced to nine years in prison. Additionally, he was ordered to comply with a Sexual Offences Prevention Order to prevent further offenses. Zaheer Khan, who also pleaded guilty to child abduction, received a sentence of 20 months in prison.

The victim’s mother, who is legally unable to be named, expressed her feelings after the sentencing. She stated, “Nine years in the current climate is a pretty good sentence, but realistically my daughter is still facing a life sentence.” Her family has been profoundly affected by the incident, with the young girl having to change schools and her family contemplating relocating from the area to aid her recovery.

Detective Constable Helen Mercer of Accrington CID described the case as “a despicable incident.” She emphasized that the girl, who comes from a good home and was a well-behaved student, is now struggling emotionally, feeling bitter and angry about what happened. Mercer highlighted the difficulty faced by young victims of such heinous crimes, noting that it is especially tragic when the victim is only a child.

Judge Stuart Baker addressed Pervez directly during sentencing, describing his actions as a “grave crime.” The judge detailed how Pervez drove the girl to a secluded area, locked the car doors, and covered her mouth to silence her screams. He warned her to be quiet or he would kill her, and emphasized that the sexual assault was compounded by the element of abduction, making the crime even more serious.

Pervez’s family background was also discussed in court. Coming from a family with eight sisters and four brothers, he is part of what neighbors have called a “family of evil.” Several of his relatives have served prison sentences for drug-related offenses, and his youngest brother was incarcerated after terrorizing and biting a woman walking to work. The community has also been concerned about Pervez’s health, as he refused treatment for tuberculosis, further endangering public safety.