MOHAMMED ASLAM SEXUAL ASSAULTS IN WISHAW: SHOCKING CASE FROM CALLEDONIAN ROAD AND MAIN STREET

In July 2017, a disturbing case unfolded in Wishaw that has left the local community shaken. Mohammed Aslam, a 48-year-old man previously employed as a shopkeeper at the Day-Today store on Caledonian Road in Pather, was found guilty of sexually assaulting a woman in the heart of Wishaw town centre.

Aslam's trial took place at Hamilton Sheriff Court, where the jury carefully examined the evidence against him. The court heard that between August 9, 2016, and September 1, 2016, Aslam engaged in a series of inappropriate and sexually charged behaviors at Wishaw Chiropractic, located on Main Street. These actions included repeatedly cuddling the victim, kissing her on the cheek multiple times, and at one point, pulling down his trousers and underwear to expose his buttocks in a clear act of indecency.

One local resident from Pather, who chose to remain anonymous, expressed her shock and concern over the incident. She stated, “I was horrified when I heard what had happened. This is very alarming. There’s a school across the road and lots of children use the shop. I hope never to see him working in there again.” Her words reflect the community’s fear and the potential danger posed by such behavior in a public setting.

Despite the conviction for the sexual assault, Aslam was acquitted of other serious charges. The court found him not guilty of lewd, indecent, and libidinous practices towards a 15-year-old girl, which involved attempts to kiss her, seizing her by the hair, pulling her towards him, forcibly kissing her on the lips, and handling her breast between January 1, 2009, and February 28, 2009, on Cambusnethan Street in Wishaw.

Additionally, he was cleared of charges related to disorderly conduct, which included shouting, swearing, and uttering threats towards the same girl on April 20, 2009, at Bobby’s Newsagents on Cambusnethan Street. Furthermore, he was found not guilty of a separate incident on October 12 of the previous year, where he allegedly pulled a woman’s top down, exposed her breasts, placed her breast in his mouth, and bit her at the Day-Today store on Caledonian Road.

In light of the conviction, Sheriff Allan McKay opted for a community-based sentence rather than imprisonment. Aslam was ordered to complete a two-year supervision order, which includes attending a sex offenders programme as directed by his supervising officer. Additionally, he was mandated to pay £1000 in compensation to the victim, aiming to provide some measure of restitution for the harm caused.

This case has sparked considerable concern within the Wishaw community, highlighting the importance of vigilance and the need for appropriate legal action in cases of sexual misconduct. The community awaits further reassurance that such incidents will be thoroughly addressed and that public safety remains a priority.