PRESTON MAN JAILED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF 14-YEAR-OLD GIRL
A pervert who sexually abused a teenage girl has been sentenced to six years in prison.Sabbir Patel, aged 59, was caught with the 14-year-old girl in a derelict building undergoing renovation by a family member in 2024.
Additionally, he was observed on Ribbleton Park in Preston with the girl following a child abduction warning issued by police.
The girl initially refused to cooperate but later wrote a letter describing how Patel had abused her, titled 'Things that happened with that guy.' Judge Michael Maher commented, "It seemed plain to her that you had an overwhelming sexual interest in her." The court heard that in August 2023, the girl went missing from her home and was later found in Patel's flat.
Officers noted that Patel was excessively tactile with the girl, even in public.
Evidence showed that Patel told the girl to delete messages between them, which were later recovered and included reciprocal messages of affection and messages indicating the girl was upset and possibly self-harming.
Judge Maher stated, "You knew full well this was a deviant relationship.
You ordered her to delete those messages to save your own skin." The victim's mother stated that her daughter has become withdrawn and her education has been affected, with her only sitting GCSEs in maths and English.
In March 2025, Patel was previously sentenced for child abduction involving the girl, though the sexual abuse only came to light later, leading to an immediate remand after evidence emerged.
Patel, from Ripon Terrace, Preston, pleaded guilty to attempted rape and engaging in sexual activity with a child.
He has a diagnosis of cancer which causes him pain.
The judge ordered indefinite sexual harm prevention measures and mandated that Patel be registered as a sex offender for life.
