January 2011 Nelson pensioner jailed for child sex abuse A PENSIONER has been jailed for 14 months after sexually abusing a little girl more than 30 years ago. Mohammed Bashir, 74, a former cafe boss, admitted two charges of indecent assault on the girl in the late 1970s. He had ‘engineered’ chances to be alone with the victim and had fondled her, undressed her, exposed himself and simulated sex with the child, Burnley Crown Court heard. Bashir had then gone to Pakistan for several years and when he came back he targeted another little girl and abused her. The defendant was sent to prison for 15 months in 1986 after being convicted of indecently assaulting the second victim. Bashir, of Albert Street, Nelson, admitted two counts of indecent assault against the first girl. He was also ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for 10 years. Judge Simon Newell said: “It was a serious form of indecent assault and it’s aggravated because of the girl’s age.” Prosecutor Jeremy Lasker said the victim first made a complaint to the police 10 years ago, but felt unable to pursue the allegations at that time because she feared her health. The woman later renewed her complaint and was interviewed in January 2009. The victim was to tell police Bashir would cuddle her and give her sweets and treats but his actions then turned more sinister. The indecency took place at houses in Nelson and Brierfield. Mr Lasker said the victim would say she had tried to take her own life and had started getting into trouble. She felt it was a lot to do with the abuse she had suffered. The defendant was arrested and questioned under caution in August 2009. He denied any indecency. Martin Hackett, for Bashir, said his family was supportive of him and he had not been in trouble since he appeared on court in 1986.