SHOP OWNER JAILED FOR RAPING GIRL AFTER SUPPLYING HER WITH ALCOHOL AND VAPES
A shop proprietor who provided alcohol, vapes, and cigarettes to a minor girl and sexually assaulted and raped her within his store has been sentenced to nine years in prison.Asief Anwar molested a 15-year-old girl, made lewd remarks, and also directed inappropriate comments toward two other young girls.
During the hearing at Edinburgh’s High Court, Lord Young stated to Anwar, 43: “The evidence indicates you were grooming all three of them at different times.” The judge noted that the teenage victim, who was raped, experienced the psychological impact of the abuse, including flashbacks.
While recognizing that Anwar was “effectively a first-time offender” and noting his serious health issues, the judge found that he posed a medium risk of reoffending sexually.
Therefore, he deemed an extended sentence necessary to safeguard young women upon Anwar’s release.
Along with the nine-year prison sentence, Anwar will be monitored in the community for an extra two years under supervision, during which he will be on licence and could be sent back to prison if he breaches any conditions.
Anwar, a resident of Glasgow, had denied multiple charges in a prior trial but was found guilty of four offenses, all committed at his shop in a village in Stirlingshire.
From July to December 2021, he committed sexual assaults and rape against his first victim.
Within the same period, he also made sexual and intimidating comments to the girl and supplied her with alcohol, cigarettes, and vaping devices.
Between May and July 2022, he made threatening and inappropriate remarks to another 15-year-old girl at the shop, also providing her with vapes.
In August and September 2022, he supplied vapes to a 14-year-old girl and made improper comments regarding her appearance, particularly focusing on her physical traits.
Defence lawyer Frances Connor told the court, “He maintains his innocence and asserts he did not commit these offences.” She added that Anwar, who is married, suffered a heart attack last year and is on medication.
He has been placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely, and several non-harassment orders have been issued to prevent him from contacting or attempting to contact the victims.
