Locations
Addison Avenue, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD3
Description
A judge has highlighted the bravery of a sexual abuse survivor who had to go through two trials before finally seeing her attacker jailed for eight years.
The woman, who must not be identified for legal reasons, read out a powerful victim personal statement during the sentencing hearing at Bradford Crown Court on Wednesday and described the profound effects of the crimes committed against her by sick Shahid Mehmood.
Mehmood, of Addison Avenue in Bradford, was found guilty after his second trial of causing or inciting a child under the age of 13 to engage in sexual activity and five counts of sexual activity with a child. He was acquitted of one charge of sexual assault.
The woman told the court Mehmood’s offending had taken away her innocence as a child and she was still suffering flashbacks and nightmares of the abuse years later. She added: “I thought it was my fault and now I know that is completely false."
She said Mehmood had never accepted any responsibility and instead he had lied putting her through the added stress of having to come to court and relive the events.
Despite being found guilty of a catalogue of evil sex offences, Recorder Ben Nolan KC noted that Mehmood, 52, still maintained his innocence. He said Mehmood, who had no previous convictions, had been interviewed by police back in January 2019 and flatly denied the offences.
“Your denials have persisted to this day,” said the judge.
“It is now over four years since your arrest. There has been significant delay caused in part by the pandemic but in part caused by your own denials. The effect on (the complainant) has clearly been profound. She’s read her victim personal statement this morning very bravely and with great dignity.”
Recorder Nolan jailed Mehmood for eight years and also imposed an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.
Mehmood, who will serve at least two thirds of his jail term, will have to register as a sex offender with the police for the rest of his life and he must comply with an indefinite restraining order.