RANA ASLAM: DUNDEE PAEDOPHILE SHOPKEEPER'S SHOCK EARLY RELEASE SPARKS OUTRAGE
In a case that has reignited public concern over sentencing and early release policies, Rana Aslam, a 50-year-old shopkeeper from Dundee, was released from prison earlier than expected after serving only a fraction of his sentence.His early release has left his victim, now in her early 30s and a mother herself, feeling betrayed and disillusioned with the justice system.
Aslam was convicted in May 2018 of engaging in unlawful sexual activities with a young girl, whom he had groomed over a period of two years during the late 1990s and early 2000s.
The abuse took place at various locations across Dundee, including Wellington Square, Ogilvie Street, and Gourdie Croft in Kingsway, as well as at a Spar shop in Dundee and at unspecified sites near Arbroath, Tayport, and Kingoodie.
The court heard that Aslam, who owned a convenience store in Dundee’s Charleston district, used gifts such as shoes, perfume, cash, and a mobile phone to lure the girl into his car and carry out the abuse.
The victim, who was only 12 years old at the time, recounted her ordeal, describing how Aslam bought her and her friend McDonald's meals, called them 'really pretty,' and then began to sexually abuse her.
She detailed how he would buy her CDs, perfume, and even a mobile phone, which she had to hide from her parents.
She also revealed that he gave her alcopops at a flat, causing her to pass out.
The abuse continued over two years, with Aslam driving her to various locations across Perthshire, Fife, Angus, and Dundee to carry out his acts.
Despite the severity of his crimes, Aslam was sentenced to only one year in prison, a sentence that many believe was insufficient given the nature of his offenses.
The sheriff, John Rafferty, emphasized that allowing Aslam to walk free would have provoked justified public outrage, stating, “Only a custodial sentence is appropriate.
There would be justified public outrage if persons were allowed to behave in this manner and not punished by a custodial sentence.” Under current laws, prisoners sentenced to four years or less are automatically eligible for early release after serving two-thirds of their sentence.
Aslam, therefore, was released in time to spend Christmas at home with his family.
Additionally, he was placed on the sex offenders’ register for ten years.
The victim expressed her frustration and disappointment, stating, “Having gone through the whole justice process I felt like they were more worried about his rights than mine.
I was 12 when he did this, and I first reported it in 2015.
I spent three years going through the process just for him to serve six months.
I felt throughout that his lawyers were trying to get me to drop the complaint, which is maybe their job, and there were times when I felt like giving up.
If I’d known this was what he was going to get maybe I wouldn’t have bothered.” She further criticized the sentencing system, saying, “You see people getting jailed for eight months for stealing from a shop.
The sentencing doesn’t encourage people like me to come forward.
It makes a mockery of the victims who do speak out.
The system also needs to change to help people going through the process.
During the case I spent every other day speaking to a different person on the phone trying to find out when the trial was, and I had to explain every day who I was and what had happened to me.
I haven’t even told my dad about what happened to me yet.” In response, a spokesman for the Scottish Prison Service stated, “It would not be appropriate for us to comment on the sentencing or release.” Earlier, in May 2018, Aslam was convicted of grooming and sexually abusing a girl who came to buy sweets at his shop.
The victim, now 32, described how Aslam showered her with gifts and alcohol before abusing her.
She recounted how he bought her shoes, perfume, and a mobile phone, and how he would entice her into his car and take her to various locations where the abuse occurred.
She also revealed that she only came forward after seeing him twice in the street in 2015, which prompted her to report him to the authorities.
During the trial, Aslam denied engaging in full sexual intercourse with the girl but was found guilty of lewd, indecent, and libidinous practices.
Sheriff John Rafferty sentenced him to a year in prison and placed him on the sex offenders’ register for ten years, emphasizing that his actions demonstrated a blatant disregard for the well-being of his young victim.
The sheriff stated, “This is a case where you have satisfied your lustful desires without having any regard whatsoever to the impact that that would have on your young female victim.” In April 2018, another woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, also spoke out about her experience of being groomed and sexually assaulted by Aslam when she was only 12.
She described how he worked at a shop in Kirkton and how he manipulated her with gifts and attention.
She recounted that he bought her and her friend McDonald's, and how the abuse began with kissing and groping, escalating over time.
She revealed that she saw him again in 2015, which led her to report him, and she expressed her desire for him to serve a long prison sentence, criticizing his portrayal as a religious, family man during the trial.
