NASSAR IQBAL PREDATOR STALKED AND SEXUALLY ASSAULTED 15-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN BURNLEY CAR PARK
In a disturbing incident that unfolded in Burnley, a 15-year-old girl was subjected to a terrifying sexual assault after being stalked by a man named Nassar Iqbal.The assault took place early on New Year’s Day, around 8:30 in the morning, in an underground car park.
CCTV footage captured Iqbal following the young girl, who was accompanied by a friend at the time, as he engaged in indecent acts on himself while covertly tracking her movements.
According to court proceedings at Preston Crown Court, the victim had been out celebrating with friends the night before.
The following morning, she found herself in the underground car park with a male companion who soon passed out, leaving her alone.
It was during this vulnerable moment that Iqbal approached her.
Prosecutor Trevor Parry Jones described how Iqbal, aged 31 and residing on Castle Street, Nelson, had been observing and stalking the pair prior to the assault.
Jones recounted that Iqbal emerged from a stairwell and approached the girl, saying, “I have no friends, I am lonely, can I join you?” The girl agreed, but her discomfort grew as Iqbal began to touch her inappropriately.
She described his actions as “weird.” At one point, Iqbal produced £25 from his pocket, gesturing for her to take it, which she did out of confusion.
He then proceeded to touch her breasts, both over and under her clothing, and started licking and sucking her ear, actions that made her feel uneasy and which she did not consent to.
The situation escalated further when Iqbal exposed himself and attempted to coerce her into performing a sexual act.
The girl, overwhelmed with fear, tried to distance herself and told him she did not want to continue.
In a desperate attempt to seek help, she took out her phone to call the police.
However, Iqbal snatched the device from her hand, demanding, “If you aren’t going to do this, I want my money back.” At that moment, another person appeared in the car park, prompting Iqbal to flee the scene.
CCTV footage showed him running away from the area, and the girl managed to find assistance shortly afterward.
Police were called, and officers released an image of Iqbal from CCTV footage.
Recognized by an associate, Iqbal was subsequently arrested.
During police interviews, he claimed that the girl was offering sexual services for money and insisted that the encounter was consensual.
However, the prosecution emphasized that this was false, and Iqbal’s plea indicated he was the primary instigator of the assault.
A DNA swab taken from the victim linked Iqbal to the scene.
Further investigations revealed that Iqbal had approached two women in the area shortly before the attack, offering them £50, but they dismissed his advances.
In a victim impact statement read aloud in court, the girl expressed her suffering, stating, “I did not deserve this and shouldn’t have to be still suffering the consequences of someone else’s actions.
I don’t know what will stop me feeling this way.
I just want to get on with my life and be the person I was.” Defence lawyer Isobel Thomas highlighted Iqbal’s remorse, noting that probation officers described his attitude as apologetic.
She emphasized that the offence was out of character for him, mentioning his status as a married man with a young child and his employment.
Despite this, Iqbal pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault and one count of theft.
Judge Beverley Lunt sentenced Iqbal, a Portuguese national, to four years and ten months in prison.
She stated that the victim’s intoxication did not diminish her innocence or the severity of the crime.
The judge condemned Iqbal’s predatory behavior, noting that he had stalked and followed the girl for a significant distance, waiting for her in a manner that was clearly planned and malicious.
She emphasized that the assault occurred in daylight, in a public place, and that Iqbal’s actions demonstrated a disturbing level of predation and disregard for the victim’s vulnerability.
