SHEHZAD ASHRAF'S CRIMINAL ACTS IN HOGMANAY: EDINBURGH COURT REJECTS APPEAL

In December 2008, a disturbing case unfolded involving Shehzad Ashraf, a man who committed a serious sexual offense in the city of Edinburgh. The incident took place on Hogmanay, a time when Edinburgh is bustling with celebrations, but for one young girl, it marked a traumatic event that would have lasting repercussions.

On the night of December 31, 2008, Ashraf, then 31 years old, was driving along Captain’s Road in the Gracemount area of Edinburgh when he stopped to pick up a 14-year-old girl. The teenager had left her foster home to join the New Year festivities in the city centre. Concerned guardians had already reported her missing, prompting a search that ultimately led to her encounter with Ashraf.

According to court proceedings, Ashraf took the girl to a private residence, where he offered her alcohol. The situation escalated, and the pair engaged in consensual sexual activity. This sequence of events was revealed during Ashraf’s court appearance in August 2010, when he faced charges related to his actions.

Following his conviction, Ashraf was sentenced to perform 240 hours of community service. However, he was dissatisfied with the severity of the sentence and decided to challenge it, claiming that it was “excessive and inappropriate.” His legal team filed an appeal, seeking to have the sentence reduced or altered.

Nevertheless, the appeal was firmly rejected. The case was heard at the Appeal Court in Edinburgh, where Lord Carloway presided. After reviewing the circumstances and the original sentencing, Lord Carloway dismissed Ashraf’s appeal, reaffirming the court’s stance on the seriousness of the offense and the appropriateness of the original sentence.

This case highlights the ongoing concerns about safeguarding minors and the legal consequences faced by those who violate these protections, especially during significant public celebrations like Hogmanay in Edinburgh.