SIKANDER MALIK FROM HALIFAX SLIPS UP ON SEX OFFENDER MONITORING AND RECEIVES SUSPENDED SENTENCE

In August 2008, a serious incident involving Sikander Malik, a known sex offender from Halifax, unfolded when he attempted to evade police monitoring authorities. Malik, who resides on Cannon Street in the King Cross area of Halifax, had previously been convicted in 2006 for unlawful sexual activity with a girl under the age of 16. As part of his sentencing, he was mandated to register his address with the police at all times, a legal requirement designed to keep track of sex offenders and prevent further harm.

However, Malik failed to comply with this obligation on two separate occasions by providing false addresses. His breaches came to light when authorities discovered that he had moved multiple times since the order was issued two years earlier. Despite being instructed to inform police of any change in residence, Malik did not do so during his last move. When questioned by law enforcement, he claimed to be living at his grandmother’s address, a statement that was later proven false, as his grandmother had not seen or had contact with him since his family disowned him following his conviction.

Prosecutor Andy Wills emphasized the importance of Malik’s compliance, stating, “He was placed on the register for five years, and that means police must know where he lives at all times.” The failure to update his address was considered a serious breach of the legal order. Malik’s defense lawyer, Iftikhar Ahmed, argued that there were no malicious intentions behind Malik’s actions, suggesting that Malik simply did not realize the gravity of his obligations or the importance of informing authorities about his whereabouts.

Magistrates at Calderdale Magistrates Court took a stern view of the case. Susan Sutcliffe, chairwoman of the bench, underscored the seriousness of Malik’s violations, warning him that failure to adhere to the conditions of his order could lead to more severe consequences. Ultimately, Malik was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison, but this sentence was suspended for 12 months. Additionally, he was ordered to complete 60 hours of unpaid community work and placed under a six-month supervision order to monitor his compliance.

It was noted that the sentence was reduced due to Malik having already served 28 days in custody while awaiting the completion of a report related to his case. This case highlights the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in monitoring convicted sex offenders and underscores the importance of strict adherence to legal orders designed to protect the community from potential harm.