BOLTON MAN HASEEB AFZAL JAILED FOR GROOMING AND SEXUAL ASSAULT OF TEENAGE GIRLS
A man who exploited two vulnerable teenage girls, who had gone missing from home, and later sexually assaulted one of them at a hotel, was sentenced at Bolton Crown Court.Haseeb Afzal, 28 years old, approached the girls by offering lifts in his vehicle, along with gifts, drugs, and alcohol, over a four-week span in Bolton between May and June of the previous year.
During this period, both girls had been missing from their homes when they encountered Afzal.
Prosecutor Charlotte Rimmer stated that Afzal used a taxi-like vehicle and was often seen with a companion.
He supplied the girls with nitrous oxide ‘balloons,’ handed them £10, and purchased vodka and drugs for their use.
It was revealed at court that in June, Afzal took one girl to a hotel while she was intoxicated, where he recorded himself touching her as she slept.
She awoke to find him digitally penetrating her without her consent and later rejected his sexual advances.
The girl later learned Afzal was wanted by police and was on parole after serving time for an earlier crime.
He was detained on June 11 and mostly responded with “no comment” when questioned.
Videos played during the trial showed him touching the sleeping girl, sometimes with background music; he viewed these remotely from prison and appeared distressed.
In another interview, Afzal claimed he didn’t understand why he made the videos and suggested they were meant to show that nothing had happened.
On the trial’s first day, he pleaded guilty to charges of digital penetration, sexual assault through touching, and producing indecent images of a girl aged 16 or older.
The victim described how the experience affected her, saying, “I don’t think anyone will ever understand the pain this disgusting man has made me feel,” and shared that she still dreams about the ordeal but was proud to have spoken out.
Defense solicitor David Bentley acknowledged the guilty plea and characterized the incident as an isolated event, adding that Afzal had no prior sex offences.
He explained that Afzal had checked into the hotel ahead of time and suggested he was struggling with personal issues, including recent imprisonment and a breakup.
Judge Andrew Long highlighted the predatory aspect of Afzal's actions, emphasizing that his sole aim was sexual gratification and describing his behaviour as persistent grooming over several weeks.
Afzal was sentenced to eight years in prison, ordered to register as a sex offender for life, and subject to a lifelong sexual harm prevention order.
He also received unrestricted restraining orders against both girls.
Following the sentence, Detective Sergeant Ryan Lovick commended the victim for her bravery in coming forward, underscoring the lasting trauma caused by such abuse, and encouraged others to report similar crimes.
