HASHIM PATEL FROM DEWSBURY SENTENCED FOR HISTORIC SEXUAL OFFENCES INVOLVING TEENAGER

In a case that has spanned several decades, Hashim Patel, aged 72 and formerly known as a newsagent in Dewsbury, has been sentenced to a term of 14 months in prison following his conviction for indecent assault. The offences took place during the 1980s and involved a 14-year-old girl who, at the time, was a minor.

According to court reports, Patel engaged in inappropriate conversations with the young girl, asking her questions about adult films, which was an early indication of his misconduct. The incidents escalated when he took the girl into a storeroom, where the assault occurred. It was only many years later, once the girl had reached adulthood, that she chose to report the abuse to authorities, bringing the case to light.

This is not Patel’s first encounter with the law concerning similar offences. He previously served a 12-month sentence for related misconduct, highlighting a troubling pattern of behavior. Following his recent conviction, the court ordered Patel to register as a sex offender for a period of ten years, emphasizing the seriousness of his crimes and the ongoing risk he poses.

Patel’s background as a former Dewsbury newsagent and his history of offending have added to the community’s concern, as residents grapple with the long-lasting impact of his actions. The case underscores the importance of reporting abuse, even many years after the incidents, and the justice system’s role in holding offenders accountable regardless of the passage of time.