MOHAMMED RAMZAN JAILED IN DERBY FOR SEXUAL ACT WITH 14-YEAR-OLD GIRL AT RIVER GARDENS

In August 2008, a disturbing incident unfolded in Derby involving Mohammed Ramzan, a takeaway worker, who was convicted of engaging in sexual activity with a 14-year-old girl. The incident took place in the scenic Derby River Gardens, a popular spot along the River Derwent, where the young girl and Ramzan met after she finished her school day.

According to court proceedings, Mohammed Ramzan was described as an 'immature man of 20' at the time of the offence. He believed the girl was 16 years old, although he had no concrete proof of her actual age. The prosecution, led by Clive Stockwell, revealed that the pair had been exchanging text messages prior to their meeting. They arranged to meet in the River Gardens, a well-known public area in Derby, and after their encounter, they went under a bridge within the gardens.

Under the bridge, the two shared a kiss, and Ramzan engaged in further physical contact, touching intimate parts of her body. The girl later described the encounter as them 'getting off with one another.' Despite the inappropriate nature of their interaction, the pair parted ways on apparently good terms, according to court records.

However, the incident did not go unnoticed for long. When social services became aware of what had transpired, they contacted the police. Ramzan was subsequently interviewed by law enforcement officers. During the interview, he denied any involvement in the incident and claimed he did not know the girl, despite evidence to the contrary.

By the time of his court appearance, Ramzan, now 21 and residing on Silverhill Road in Derby, had pleaded guilty to engaging in sexual activity with a girl under 16. It was noted that he had no prior criminal record, which was considered during sentencing.

Representing Ramzan, solicitor Daniel Prowse argued that the girl was not entirely naive, describing her as a 'naive 20-year-old' who had made a very foolish decision. Prowse suggested that the girl had consented to some physical contact, which had gone too far. The court was also informed that another man had introduced the girl to Ramzan, and that she was in some way pursuing him.

Further details revealed that Ramzan had already served 40 days in Nottingham Prison, where he was the youngest inmate. Prowse emphasized Ramzan’s fear of an immediate custodial sentence and his remorse, stating that Ramzan was desperate to avoid further imprisonment and was genuinely remorseful for his actions.

Additional context included that Ramzan’s wife had traveled from Pakistan to live with him in Britain, and that he had lost his takeaway job after the girl’s brother contacted the shop. Prowse highlighted that Ramzan had suffered significant embarrassment and was unlikely to offend again, suggesting that a rehabilitative course might be more appropriate than a lengthy prison sentence.

Ultimately, Judge John Wait sentenced Ramzan to 15 months in prison. He was also placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for 10 years, banned from working with children, and ordered not to contact two girls named in court. The judge acknowledged that courts typically consider sentences of up to four years for similar offences but emphasized that Ramzan’s case involved a girl who was not entirely naive and that he must accept the consequences of his actions. The sentence also included an additional month for breaching bail conditions.