MOHAMMED AMJAD AND SHOCKING CHILD ABUSE IN LANCASHIRE
A man described as a 'predatory bully' who systematically groomed and sexually abused a young girl in Lancashire from the age of 13 has been sentenced to four years and three months in prison.The perpetrator, Mohammed Imran Amjad, aged 26 and residing on Halifax Road in Brierfield, pleaded guilty to charges of sexual activity with a minor and three counts of child abduction relating to incidents that occurred in 2009 and 2010.
The court was informed that Amjad drove the victim around various streets in his silver BMW, exerting influence through manipulation and coercion.
Prosecutor Chris Long emphasized that Amjad was aware of the girl’s age yet continued to engage in activities that led to her being groomed, exploited, and ultimately abused.
The case revealed that Amjad initially denied all charges but changed his plea to guilty midway through the trial at Manchester Crown Court.
According to evidence presented during the trial, Amjad's grooming process started after he obtained the girl’s mobile phone number.
Using this contact, he took her out in his car on multiple occasions, during which he engaged in sexual activity with her when she was just 14 years old.
The court heard that the girl’s mother had contacted the police at the time, but her daughter chose not to make an official complaint then.
Despite this, the relationship between Amjad and the girl persisted.
The trial also examined other serious allegations.
Amjad was acquitted of several charges, including rape and aiding, abetting, or attempting to procure rape, as well as witness intimidation, following judicial directions.
The court also cleared five other men – Haroon Mahmood, Mohammed Suleman Farooq, Omar Mazafer, Mohammed Zishan Amjad, and Shiraz Afzal, all from Brierfield – of various sex offences involving the same girl, after each trial concluded.
Following the sentencing at Burnley Crown Court, Prosecutor Chris Long issued a stark statement: 'Mohammed Imran Amjad was a predatory bully who befriended the victim when she was just 12 or 13-years-old.
He was fully aware that she was underage yet continued to manipulate and abuse her for his own gratification, using his power to coerce her into submission.' Detective Chief Inspector Sion Hall highlighted the extensive effort involved in bringing Amjad to justice.
He praised the bravery of the young victim, who had shown remarkable courage throughout the lengthy and complex investigation.
Mr.
Hall also expressed hope that the sentence would serve as a warning that such predatory crimes would not be tolerated in Lancashire.
In addition to his prison term, Mohammed Imran Amjad was issued a seven-year sexual offences prevention order.
This order strictly prohibits him from contacting or attempting to contact any female under the age of 16 without the explicit permission of her parent or guardian, aiming to prevent any further harm.
The case underscores the importance of vigilance and swift justice in protecting vulnerable children from exploitation and abuse.
