EJAZ AKHTAR SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS FOR CHILD RAPE IN BURTON

In a harrowing case that has shocked the community of Burton, Ejaz Akhtar, a 46-year-old man, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after being convicted of multiple counts of child sexual abuse. The crimes, which involved a young girl who was only 13 at the time, spanned over a period of more than two years, during which Akhtar subjected her to repeated acts of sexual violence.

Akhtar, a resident of Anglesey Road in Burton, was arrested after he returned from Pakistan, where he had traveled shortly before his trial was scheduled to commence. His departure from Britain occurred just prior to the start of legal proceedings, raising questions about whether he was attempting to evade justice. However, he was apprehended upon his return and brought before Stafford Crown Court to face the charges.

The court proceedings revealed a detailed and disturbing account of the abuse inflicted upon the young girl. The court was told that the abuse began when she was just 13 years old and escalated over time to include acts of sexual intercourse, with the abuse becoming increasingly severe. The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, provided testimony that painted a graphic picture of the repeated assaults and the progression to rape.

During the sentencing hearing, Judge Mark Eades addressed Akhtar directly, emphasizing the severity and duration of the crimes. He stated, “It went on for two years or so and escalated into sexual intercourse, beginning when she was 13. There were many acts of sexual intercourse, it involved repeated rapes.” The judge also noted that Akhtar’s wife was unaware of his actions during the entire period of abuse, indicating that the offender kept his criminal behavior hidden from his family.

Judge Eades further commented on Akhtar’s motives, describing them as driven by “sexual gratification.” He remarked, “You hid your behaviour from your wife. The motivation appears to be sexual gratification.”

Defense lawyer Alex Kirkler argued that Akhtar had not fled Britain to avoid justice but had traveled to Pakistan to visit his seriously ill father. Kirkler stated that Akhtar returned voluntarily to face the consequences of his actions, emphasizing that his client had been aware of the potential sentence he faced. He also highlighted that Akhtar had lived in the UK since 2001, had no prior offenses, and had been a diligent, hard-working citizen.

Despite these arguments, the jury found Akhtar guilty of three counts of rape and one count of sexual activity with a child. The court’s decision reflects the gravity of his crimes and the impact on the young victim. As a result, Judge Eades sentenced him to 15 years in prison, marking a significant step in the pursuit of justice for the young girl and the community of Burton.