ABDU MUID: BURNLEY PAEDOPHILE REPEATEDLY BREACHES COURT ORDERS WITH HUNDREDS OF ILLEGAL IMAGES

In a disturbing case that highlights the ongoing issues of child exploitation and the failure of court orders to prevent reoffending, Abdul Muhid, a 33-year-old man from Burnley, has been convicted and sentenced for multiple serious offences related to child abuse images and breaches of a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO).

In June 2020, Muhid pleaded guilty at Preston Crown Court to three counts of making indecent images of children, one count of possessing such images, and two counts of breaching the SHPO that had been imposed on him. The court heard that Muhid’s criminal history includes a previous conviction in 2011, where he was sentenced to over four years in prison for similar offences, including engaging in sexual activity with a minor under 16.

Following his release from prison, Muhid was subjected to a SHPO, which was intended to restrict his access to children and prevent further offences. However, despite these restrictions, Muhid repeatedly violated the order, with breaches recorded in 2015, 2017, and twice in 2019. His pattern of offending demonstrated a persistent disregard for legal restrictions and the safety of children.

The latest incident unfolded in December 2019, when police officers attended Muhid’s residence on Burns Street in Burnley. During the investigation, officers recovered a Samsung mobile phone that Muhid had discarded by throwing it out of a window, seemingly in an attempt to destroy evidence. Alongside the phone, other electronic devices were seized. Upon examination, the Samsung device was found to contain a disturbing collection of images: two classified as Category A, the most severe, eight as Category B, and a staggering 3,106 images categorized as Category C. Most of these images were dated from December 2019 and depicted young girls between the ages of four and twelve, underscoring the severity and depravity of Muhid’s collection.

Prosecutor Paul Cummings detailed the findings to the court, emphasizing the disturbing nature of the images and Muhid’s initial refusal to cooperate. Muhid initially chose to provide a no-comment interview but later pleaded guilty during a pre-trial hearing in March. The court was informed that the images represented significant harm to the victims, with the potential for lasting psychological damage.

Judge Mark Brown addressed Muhid directly, expressing his disappointment and highlighting the pattern of breaches and offences. The judge pointed out Muhid’s previous violations of anti-social behaviour orders in 2003, 2004, and 2006, illustrating a long-standing pattern of criminal behavior. The judge stated, “It should not come as a great surprise that within a relatively short time of your release from prison you breached the order imposed on you on a number of occasions.”

He further condemned Muhid’s actions, noting the profound harm inflicted on the children depicted in the images. “There’s no doubt that the harm caused to these children by the dreadful abuse they have suffered would have been significant,” the judge remarked. Recognizing the seriousness of the offences and the need to protect the public, Judge Brown sentenced Muhid to a term of two years in prison.

In addition to the recent breaches, Muhid’s criminal record reveals a history of sexual offences involving minors. In 2011, he was jailed for five years after engaging in sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl from Burnley and possessing a collection of child sexual abuse images. The court heard that Muhid believed the girl was 18, despite evidence to the contrary, including her date of birth and school details visible on her Facebook profile.

Further investigations uncovered that Muhid had downloaded numerous indecent images, including videos of girls as young as seven being raped. His home in Saxon Street, Burnley, was found to contain magazines and digital files related to child exploitation. Muhid’s laptop, which he initially claimed was stolen, was examined by specialists and revealed multiple levels of indecent images, including some at the most severe level of abuse.

During police interviews, Muhid initially denied ownership or use of the computer and claimed he was under the influence of drugs and alcohol when he met the girl. He also claimed not to have seen the explicit images on his device, despite evidence to the contrary. His interactions with the girl, which included sexual acts at two Burnley addresses, were conducted with her awareness of her age, although Muhid later claimed he believed she was 18. The court was told that alcohol was readily available at the premises, and the girl had consumed drinks during their meetings.

Judge Jonathan Gibson, presiding over the case, described the images and videos found on Muhid’s devices as extremely disturbing, emphasizing the exploitation involved. He highlighted that some of the videos depicted prolonged abuse and serious sexual offences against very young girls, including those as young as seven or eight years old. Muhid was ultimately sentenced to five years in prison for these offences, with additional orders including lifetime registration as a sex offender, a ban from working with children, and a sex offences prevention order to prevent further harm.

This case underscores the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in tackling child exploitation and the importance of strict enforcement of court orders to prevent reoffending. Muhid’s repeated breaches and the severity of his crimes serve as a stark reminder of the persistent threat posed by individuals who exploit children and flout legal restrictions in Burnley and beyond.