MEHBOOB HASSAN FROM SWINDON SENTENCED FOR ABUSING 11-YEAR-OLD GIRL OVER TWO YEARS
In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Swindon, Mehboob Hassan, a 38-year-old man residing on Trent Road, has been convicted of repeatedly abusing an 11-year-old girl over a period of nearly two years.The heinous acts, which involved indecent touching and coercing the young girl to touch him, came to light after the victim confided in her mother last October about the ongoing abuse.
According to court proceedings, Hassan's misconduct began in August 2012, when the girl was just 11 years old.
Over the subsequent months, he engaged in multiple incidents of sexual activity with her, which he initially denied but later admitted to the police.
During police interviews, Hassan claimed that his actions were influenced by personal difficulties in his marriage, specifically feeling unloved, and questioned why he was being blamed for the abuse.
The prosecution, led by Tessa Hingston, revealed that Hassan's victim disclosed the abuse to her mother, prompting an investigation.
The court was told that Hassan had been molesting the girl on numerous occasions, and had also manipulated her into touching him, instructing her to keep the secret from everyone.
His initial denial of wrongdoing was eventually replaced with an admission of guilt after police evidence confirmed the victim's account.
A victim impact statement from the girl’s family detailed the profound psychological effects the abuse had inflicted.
The young girl now struggles with body image issues, expressing discomfort when seeing herself in the mirror.
She has developed obsessive hand-washing habits and feels persistently dirty, symptoms that were not present before she revealed the abuse.
These changes underscore the deep emotional scars left by Hassan’s actions.
Hassan pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual activity with a child involving multiple incidents.
His defense lawyer, Rob Ross, acknowledged the severity of the case but emphasized that Hassan had shown remorse and was willing to address his behavior.
He highlighted that Hassan had been a hardworking family man prior to the incident and expressed that his client found it difficult to comprehend his actions, which he attributed to feelings of neglect in his marriage.
During sentencing, Judge Peter Blair QC acknowledged the gravity of the offenses, noting the significant age disparity—Hassan being three times the age of the victim—and the fact that the abuse was ongoing for two years.
The judge pointed out that Hassan’s misconduct was not halted by his own actions but only stopped after the victim confided in her mother and the police investigation commenced.
The emotional and psychological impact on the girl was substantial, disrupting her life in a profound way.
While the defense argued for a possible suspended sentence, citing Hassan’s remorse and the lower scale of his offenses compared to more severe sexual crimes, the judge ultimately decided on a custodial sentence.
Hassan was sentenced to two years and four months in prison.
Additionally, he was subjected to a seven-year sexual harm prevention order, restricting his liberty and monitoring his behavior to prevent further offenses.
This case has left a lasting mark on the Swindon community, highlighting the importance of vigilance and the devastating effects of child abuse.
The court’s decision underscores the seriousness with which such offenses are treated and the commitment to protecting vulnerable children from harm.
