KHURAM RASHID OF WAKEFIELD SENTENCED TO OVER FIVE YEARS FOR GROOMING AND SEXUAL ABUSE IN BRADFORD
| Red Rose Database
Ings Road Sexual Abuser
A man who attempted to hide his sexual abuse of a young boy through a game called “ants in pants” has been sentenced to more than five years in prison. Bradford Crown Court was told on Tuesday that 37-year-old Khuram Rashid, from Wakefield, remains “in denial” about his offenses despite a jury convicting him of three counts of sexual assault following a trial.
The mother of the victim, who is protected by legal restrictions from being identified, delivered an impact statement describing how they were pressured by others to forgive Rashid and consider his feelings, despite their own suffering going unacknowledged and condemned.
The court learned that Rashid, of Ings Road, had previously been regarded as a man of good character and was highly esteemed by his employers. Defense barrister Kitty Colley stated that he held a “managerial position,” and Recorder David Gordon highlighted that testimonies about Rashid’s work at Leeds Railway Station had supported this portrayal.
Recorder Gordon noted that it was clear there was “grooming behaviour” involved in Rashid’s actions, telling him, “You dressed up sexual touching as innocent playfulness.”
When questioned about the sexual misconduct allegations, Rashid reportedly laughed and claimed the boy was confused, explaining that they had been playing a game called “ants in pants,” which caused misunderstandings. The court also heard that Rashid discussed “tickling” the boy as part of their interactions.
The judge pointed out that Rashid denied the allegations made by the child and his mother, stating, “All in all you denied the allegations being made by the complainant and his mother. Those were denials you have persisted in right up to today.”
He emphasized that Rashid was convicted after a trial, saying, “You were convicted after a trial so I can give you no credit for pleading guilty.”
Sentencing Rashid to five years and three months in prison, Recorder Gordon highlighted the profound impact his actions had on the boy and his family. He added that Rashid had told the young victim that what he was doing was “perfectly fine.”
The judge ordered that Rashid must register as a sex offender for life and comply with an indefinite sexual harm prevention order, which restricts his unsupervised contact with boys under 16.
The mother of the victim, who is protected by legal restrictions from being identified, delivered an impact statement describing how they were pressured by others to forgive Rashid and consider his feelings, despite their own suffering going unacknowledged and condemned.
The court learned that Rashid, of Ings Road, had previously been regarded as a man of good character and was highly esteemed by his employers. Defense barrister Kitty Colley stated that he held a “managerial position,” and Recorder David Gordon highlighted that testimonies about Rashid’s work at Leeds Railway Station had supported this portrayal.
Recorder Gordon noted that it was clear there was “grooming behaviour” involved in Rashid’s actions, telling him, “You dressed up sexual touching as innocent playfulness.”
When questioned about the sexual misconduct allegations, Rashid reportedly laughed and claimed the boy was confused, explaining that they had been playing a game called “ants in pants,” which caused misunderstandings. The court also heard that Rashid discussed “tickling” the boy as part of their interactions.
The judge pointed out that Rashid denied the allegations made by the child and his mother, stating, “All in all you denied the allegations being made by the complainant and his mother. Those were denials you have persisted in right up to today.”
He emphasized that Rashid was convicted after a trial, saying, “You were convicted after a trial so I can give you no credit for pleading guilty.”
Sentencing Rashid to five years and three months in prison, Recorder Gordon highlighted the profound impact his actions had on the boy and his family. He added that Rashid had told the young victim that what he was doing was “perfectly fine.”
The judge ordered that Rashid must register as a sex offender for life and comply with an indefinite sexual harm prevention order, which restricts his unsupervised contact with boys under 16.