BLACKBURN OFFENDERS ZHAID MOHMMED AND IMRAN KHAN SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE AND ABDUCTION

In May 2014, two men from Blackburn, Zhaid Mohmmed and Imran Khan, were convicted of serious sexual offences involving minors. A court scene became highly emotional when the father of one of the victims stood up and exclaimed, “He has destroyed my family.”

The court heard that Mohmmed, aged 44, and Khan had intentionally targeted two teenage girls late at night in Blackburn. The incident began when the men, in a silver Honda, offered a lift to the girls, aged 14 and 15, claiming they were cold. Once inside, they spoke in their own language and told the girls to keep their heads down to avoid detection by police.

During the journey, the men asked the girls about their ages and virginity status. The girls were then taken to Mohmmed’s residence on Chester Street, where Khan asked to use a bedroom, and the older girl was taken inside. While she was upstairs being assaulted, Mohmmed allegedly took advantage of the younger girl in the kitchen, attempting to kiss her and touching her inappropriately.

The court was informed that both girls were offered drinks and drugs. After the ordeal, the girls left when the 14-year-old asked Mohmmed for help in getting her friend away from the situation.

Defense lawyer Ken Hind acknowledged Mohmmed’s past involvement in an abduction at age 15, saying it was unrelated and took place in 1987, emphasizing that there were no sexual connotations at that time and that his client now planned to remarry. Mohmmed’s family supported him in court, including his future wife and sisters.

Mohmmed was convicted of two counts of detaining a child and two of sexual activity with a girl under 16. He was sentenced to three and a half years in prison and will be on the sexual offences register for life. Furthermore, he is prohibited from working with vulnerable adults or children.

Khan, 36, of Tenby Close, Blackburn, was found guilty of two charges of detaining a child and one of rape, with sentencing set for June 20 to allow time for a medical report.

The prosecution was supported by the Engage team from Greenbank Police Station, dedicated to victims of child sexual exploitation.

Judge Heather Lloyd delivered the sentence to Mohmmed, describing the offences as clear examples of sexual exploitation by older men, noting that the victims' vulnerability was exploited when they were out walking alone at 3 a.m. She expressed her view that Mohmmed’s actions showed intent to commit further sexual offences, and emphasized there was no remorse. Mohmmed, whose latest address was Boardman Close, Bolton, was also to be placed on the sex offenders register and subjected to a sexual offences prevention order.

In a related case from March 2014, Imran Khan was found guilty of abducting two schoolgirls and raping one of them. The jury convicted Khan of raping a 15-year-old girl, while Mohmmed was convicted of sexually assaulting the 14-year-old girl and of unspecified sexual offences. Both men initially denied these allegations.

Prosecutor Robert Golinski detailed that the men separated the girls at a house on Chester Street, Blackburn, offering drinks and drugs to each girl before isolating them to commit the assaults. Khan was convicted of the rape and abduction of the 15-year-old, while Mohmmed was convicted of sexual activity with a minor and abduction involving the 14-year-old.

Sentencing was deferred until May 9 to prepare comprehensive reports.