May 2014 Shopkeeper walks free from court after sexually assaulting schoolgirl A sweet shop boss who sexually assaulted a schoolgirl has walked free from court. Sardar Khan, 20, of Demesne Road, Whalley Range was running his store – Khan’s Late Shop, in Stretford – when he befriended his schoolgirl victim in 2012. The relationship escalated from him chatting to the girl, who was a customer, to hugging and touching – but soon led to a sexual assault. Alison Heyworth, prosecuting, told the court how Khan, who was 18 at the time, led the girl into the back of the shop in Firswood and groped her against her will. The incident only came to light when the girl confided in a police officer at school. Khan was arrested but pleaded not guilty to the offence, and three other charges, when it came to court in March this year. He was acquitted of three offences but found guilty of one count of sexual assault after a trial. Allan Armbrister, defending, said since the offence Khan had settled down with a wife. Judge Leslie Hull told him: “The impact on your victim has been significant. She now finds it hard to concentrate on other things in her life. “But it is apparent you are generally a hard-working and diligent man and I take that into account.” Khan was ordered to do 120 hours of unpaid work at Minshull Street Crown Court. He must be supervised by the probation service as part of the 12 -month community order. He is also banned from working with children for the next 10 years and must sign the sex offender’s register for five years. Victim’s dad slams sentence The father of Khan’s victim slammed the sentence – telling the M.E.N. he should have been jailed. He said: “To see him walk free is upsetting. I think any sexual predator like that should be locked up. I just want to know why he picked my daughter and her alone? “Before it she was such a happy and friendly girl, she would do anything for anyone. But now she is much more reserved.” The girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is studying at college. She said: “It was scary at the time because I didn’t know what to do or if anyone would believe me. I find it hard to sleep and concentrate as I can’t stop thinking about it.”