Record details
A Met Police special constable groped a “distraught” 14-year-old schoolgirl in the queue at Tesco.
Hassnain Shahzad, 27, of Ilford Lane in Ilford, then went on to sexually assaulted the schoolgirl a second time as she left the store with her mum.
Despite being convicted of two sexual assaults on the young girl, Shahzad left Inner London Crown Court a free man on Thursday (February 28) after he was given a suspended sentence.
Shahzad was a special constable in the Met's East Basic Command Unit, which covers Barking and Dagenham, Havering and Redbridge.
The incident took place at a Bishopsgate store at 10.48pm on August 25, 2023.
Shahzad was queuing up behind the girl and her mum when he passed the victim, touching her bottom.
As it was crowded the victim didn’t realise at first that his actions had been intentional, but she made a mental note of the fact he was carrying pineapple chunks.
When she left the store with her mum Shahzad was caught on CCTV approaching the young girl again on the pavement and touching her again.
The footage clearly showed he was able to avoid the victim but police said he “made a beeline for her”.
The girl bravely alerted her mum about what had happened in the street and in Tesco.
The girl’s mum said: “She was distraught and just wanted to go back home rather than the hotel. At this stage two young women approached us to see what had happened.
“They implored us to go back to the store and see how they could help us. I never got their names but I’m extremely grateful to them for taking the time to talk to us and suggesting we went back to Tesco and see the CCTV.”
She praised her daughter for mentioning the assault and not backing down during the difficult legal process.
She said: “At no point did she say ‘I don’t want to do this’, or withdraw from the prosecution.
“It was a stressful time for her as she had her exams which she completed and never asked for extra help. She doesn’t see it as brave, but I am in admiration of my child.
“Even now, months later, my daughter remains a beacon of kindness and understanding towards others, despite the fear that shadows her every step.
“It's heartbreaking to watch. I’ve seen the way her body tenses, the subtle shift in her expression when she sees men approaching or staring at her. There’s a fear in her eyes that no child should have to experience.”
The mum continued: “Despite this, she continues to show compassion to everyone around her, trying to push through the overwhelming anxiety that clutches at her heart.
“It’s a daily struggle that no one should have to endure, and yet she faces it with such quiet strength. But I can't help but feel the weight of what she's going through and how much more we need to do to protect her, to help her feel safe again.
“That day would mark the tragic end of her innocence, snatching away her right to view the world through the innocent eyes of a child.
“Before the assault, she was a carefree spirit, always bubbling with laughter and playful. She radiated a kind of unfettered happiness that was contagious, relishing the company of her family without a care in the world.
“We’ll never know now what her life would have been like without Shahzad’s actions. I find myself seeking her permission for even the simplest gestures of affection, like a hug. The days of spontaneous affection are gone, replaced by a painful necessity to ask, a stark reminder of the trust that was shattered.”
After being told by the victim that her attacker had bought pineapple chunks, Shahzad was identified by City of London Police on CCTV and via his bank details.
He was arrested at home a month later and a number of items were seized, including clothing identical to that shown on CCTV.
Officers also found video footage on his phone from two days after this sexual assault, showing him filming women on the street without their permission.
Despite the mounting evidence, Shahzad denied the charges and the case went to trial.
The girl’s mum said: “It was an act of cruelty that despite the clear CCTV footage and bank records confirming Shahzad had bought pineapple chunks he still pleaded not guilty. He has shown no moral compass or remorse.
“He’s only sorry he was caught. He was clearly aware of the age of his victim and putting her through the court process that most adults find hard to deal with. We had to listen to his defence suggest that it was a touch you might experience on a busy train. This was not a busy train, this was a wide pavement and he had followed us to continue his attack.”
Shahzad was found guilty of two counts of sexual assault and was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for 18 months.
He’s been ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work and will be on the sex offenders register for seven years.
(Image: City of London Police) The girl’s mum hopes that by speaking out about the attack, victims of similar abuse might come forward.
She said: “My daughter and I hope that by going into detail about the pain and suffering this has caused us, it will empower more children and women to come forward and shout loudly about the abuse they have endured.
“Protecting children and women from harm is not an awareness day or week, it is an everyday challenge that all in society need to face up to. There needs to be more accountability for men who denigrate women and our schools need to be regularly talking about the dangers children and women face on the streets.
“We’re not speaking for ourselves, but for others who can’t speak out due to the trauma they have endured, or because they have disabilities. Anyone who has been a victim of a sexual assault deserves to be believed, support and given a voice.”
She also praised City of London Police’s Detective Constable Sarah Elsom for her support.
She said: “I reported the crime online the following morning and within 20 minutes someone from the City of London Police called me which I thought was very quick.
“At no stage did I doubt their intentions to support my daughter and fully investigate the case.
“I think it was divine intervention that Sarah was assigned to our case. The dedication of Sarah and her team to pursue Shahzad was remarkable. They did not stop until he was found, arrested and brought to justice.”
