SHABIR AHMED BRADFORD AND KEIGHLEY HORRORS: GROOMING AND SEXUAL ABUSE OF 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL

In a disturbing case that has shocked the communities of Bradford and Keighley, two men have been convicted and sentenced for their heinous crimes involving a 13-year-old girl. The offences include grooming, sexual assault, and possession of obscene child pornography, revealing a pattern of predatory behavior that has left a young girl deeply traumatized.

Shabir Ahmed, aged 39, was branded by the presiding judge as a "dangerous, predatory paedophile". His actions, which spanned over a period of time, culminated in a ten-year prison sentence, with an additional four years to be served on extended licence. The court heard that Ahmed had used his position of trust and influence to manipulate a vulnerable young girl from Bradford, luring her with alcohol, cigarettes, and money in exchange for sexual favors.

The court proceedings revealed that Ahmed's depraved conduct extended beyond the girl herself. He forced her older sister to witness their sexual encounters at his flat located in Windsor Court, Little Horton, Bradford. The horrifying incident was witnessed by her aunt, who saw Ahmed engaging in sexual intercourse with the young girl through his open curtains. The aunt described the scene to the jury as witnessing a "naked, pot-bellied, 40-year-old man" involved in the act.

Ahmed was convicted last Friday on multiple counts, including three charges of having sex with the girl, grooming her, two counts of indecently assaulting her vulnerable adult sister, and possessing nine indecent images of children on his computer. It was also revealed that Ahmed had a prior conviction for indecently assaulting a 13-year-old girl in his car after giving her alcohol, for which he received a 30-month jail sentence in 2005 and was ordered to register as a sex offender for life.

The case also involved Munwar Khan, aged 42, of Morley Street, Bradford, who admitted to paying the girl £20 for sex. Khan was sentenced to three years and four months in prison. Evidence presented in court showed that the police found the girl’s pink bra in Khan’s bed and a bag containing her school uniform at his home, which contributed to his conviction.

Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC delivered a stern condemnation of Ahmed’s actions, emphasizing the devastating impact on the victim. He described how Ahmed had turned a once bright, confident, and successful girl into "an appallingly damaged child." The judge characterized Ahmed as a "dangerous, predatory paedophile," who targeted vulnerable children, watched them, and exploited their trust for his own depraved purposes.

The court heard that in the summer of 2010, Ahmed approached the girl and her older sister at Lister Park, Manningham, Bradford, in one of his expensive cars. He engaged in grooming behavior, convincing the young girl, who appeared to be only nine or ten, that he was her "very best friend." Over time, he manipulated her into believing she was special, while secretly recording their sexual acts through photos and videos. One such video showed him attempting to persuade her to strip in front of other men, highlighting the extent of his wickedness.

The judge noted that Ahmed took the girl to locations where only adult Asian men were present, further exposing her to inappropriate environments. His arrogance and wicked manipulation were evident as he took her virginity and exploited her innocence. The court described his actions as a profound breach of trust and a reflection of his deep depravity.

Regarding Khan, Judge Durham Hall acknowledged that he did not directly corrupt the girl or supply her with alcohol and cigarettes, and that he had no previous convictions for similar offences. Nonetheless, his involvement in paying for sex with a minor led to his imprisonment.

Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Jazz Gill of Bradford South CID emphasized the ongoing commitment of law enforcement to protect vulnerable children from predators within their communities. She stated, "Ahmed and Khan both used their position of trust as adults to take advantage of their victim. Both have reached the depths of depravity in their actions, and I hope today’s outcome offers some justice to the families involved."

Additionally, the case echoes the broader efforts of police operations like Parsonage, which aimed to investigate and dismantle grooming networks targeting young girls. The operation, which ran for over a year, resulted in ten individuals being charged with offences ranging from rape to witness intimidation. The police continue to investigate any remaining allegations of similar crimes, underscoring their determination to combat such heinous acts and protect vulnerable members of society.