MOHAMMAD TAAHEEN ABRAR CHOWDHURY SENTENCED IN KILMARNOCK FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES AND VIOLENCE

At the High Court in Kilmarnock on January 25, 2024, a significant legal proceeding concluded with the sentencing of Mohammad Taheen Abrar Chowdhury, who was handed a prison term of 54 months. The court's decision followed a jury's unanimous verdict finding Chowdhury guilty of multiple serious charges, including rape, attempted rape, abusive behavior, assault, and vandalism. In addition to his imprisonment, the court ordered that Chowdhury be registered on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely and issued non-harassment orders to prevent any contact with the victims.

During the sentencing hearing, Judge Alistair Watson addressed Chowdhury directly, emphasizing the gravity of his crimes. The judge recounted that Chowdhury was convicted on charges 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7 of the indictment, which detailed two separate sexual assaults involving teenage girls in Dumfries. The first incident involved the rape of a teenage girl in Dumfries during September or October 2020. The court noted that Chowdhury had been in a relationship with this girl, and on the day of the assault, she trusted him as they walked to an isolated location. Instead of respecting her trust, Chowdhury seized the opportunity to commit the sexual act, violating her profoundly.

Furthermore, the court highlighted that only a few months later, while heavily intoxicated at a party in Dumfries, Chowdhury again exploited a teenage girl’s trust. This girl had entered a bathroom with him out of concern for his well-being due to his drunken state. Instead of seeking help, Chowdhury attempted to commit another rape. Fortunately, this victim was alert and resourceful enough to escape before any assault could occur.

In addition to these sexual offences, Chowdhury was convicted of various other charges related to his abusive conduct during the relationship, including an assault on the same victim. The court also found him guilty of concerning behavior towards a young male, who was likely a witness in the case, while Chowdhury was on bail. These incidents, though less severe than the sexual offences, demonstrated a pattern of troubling conduct.

Judge Watson pointed out that Chowdhury denied all guilt, but the jury rejected his claims. The court observed that during the trial and interviews with social workers, Chowdhury displayed little empathy for his victims, who had suffered significant long-term harm. The judge emphasized that the gravity of the sexual offences and their impact on the victims necessitated a serious response.

While acknowledging the seriousness of the crimes, Judge Watson also considered Chowdhury’s age at the time of the offences. He was between 16 and 18 years old when the crimes occurred and was only 20 at sentencing. The judge described Chowdhury as an immature young man, whose impulsive actions appeared driven more by youthful recklessness than premeditation. The report presented to the court was optimistic about his potential for rehabilitation, suggesting that with education, support, and family backing, he could reintegrate successfully into society.

Despite the severity of the offences, the judge concluded that Chowdhury did not pose a significant future risk, and therefore, an extended sentence under section 210A of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 was deemed unnecessary. The court imposed a total of 54 months of detention, which was backdated to December 7, 2023, the date of his remand. The sentences for the other charges were ordered to run concurrently: 12 months for abusive behavior, 12 months for assault, and 6 months for vandalism committed while on bail.

In addition to his imprisonment, Chowdhury was ordered to register as a sex offender indefinitely, reflecting the seriousness of his sexual crimes. Non-harassment orders were also issued, prohibiting him from contacting or approaching the victims within 50 meters for a period of eight years. The court warned that any breach of these orders could result in his return to custody, underscoring the ongoing restrictions placed upon him to protect the victims and the community.