A paedophile “predatory bully”, Mohammed Imran Amjad, who groomed a girl in Lancashire starting at age 13, then abducting and abusing her, has been sentenced to four years and three months in prison.
Mohammed Imran Amjad, 26, of Halifax Road, Brierfield, confessed to engaging in sexual conduct with a minor and three instances of child abduction in 2009 and 2010.
A jury was informed that he transported her through the city in his silver BMW. Prosecutor Chris Long acknowledged the victim’s age but proceeded to “corrupt and abuse her”.
Mohammed Imran Amjad first refuted the allegations but subsequently altered his plea during the trial at Manchester Crown Court.
He groomed the youngster after he was given her mobile phone number, said prosecutors, then took her out in his car before having sex with her aged 14.
The girl’s mother contacted the police but the girl refused to make a complaint at the time and the relationship continued, the court heard.
Mohammed Imran Amjad was acquitted on the direction of the judge of other charges of rape and aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring rape, encouraging or assisting an offence and witness intimidation.
Five other men were also acquitted of various sex offences against the same girl.
Haroon Mahmood, 22, of John Street, Brierfield; Mohammed Suleman Farooq, 23, of Berry Street, Brierfield; Omar Mazafer, 22, of Halifax Road, Brierfield; Mohammed Zishan Amjad, 25, of Halifax Road, Brierfield; and Shiraz Afzal, 26, of Mansfield Crescent, Brierfield, had also been on trial.
After Mohammed Imran Amjad was sentenced at Burnley Crown Court earlier, Mr Long said: “Mohammed Imran Amjad was a predatory bully who befriended the victim when she was just 12 or 13-years-old.
“He was well aware that the victim was underage yet he continued to corrupt and abuse her for his own gratification, wielding his power over her and coercing her into submission.”
Det Ch Insp Sion Hall said it was the culmination of a long and complex investigation, adding: “We’ve worked extremely hard with the young victim over a long period of time and she has shown a tremendous amount of courage and bravery throughout the case.
“I hope this sentence acts as a warning that this type of predatory crime will not be tolerated.”
Mohammed Imran Amjad was also given a seven-year sexual offences prevention order which bars him from contacting or seeking to contact any female aged under 16 without the permission of their parent or guardian.
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