SAYEED SHAH FROM CROYDON SENTENCED TO 12 YEARS FOR DECADE OF CHILD ABUSE
In a harrowing case that has shocked the community of Croydon, Sayeed Shah, aged 63, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison after being convicted of a series of heinous crimes involving the sexual abuse of a young girl over a period of ten years.The offences, which took place in various locations around Croydon, including Shah’s home, his vehicle, and other private spaces, have left a lasting scar on the victim, whose identity remains protected by law.
Shah was found guilty on Monday, August 13, at the Old Bailey, of five counts of gross indecency with a child under 14 and two counts of indecent assault on a child under 14.
The court heard that the abuse began when the victim was just four years old, in 1982, and continued until she was 14, in 1992.
It was only in 2016 that she felt able to disclose the abuse to authorities, a revelation that led to Shah’s arrest and subsequent trial.
Following a week-long trial, the jury convicted Shah on all seven counts.
In addition to his prison sentence, he will be required to spend the rest of his life on the Sex Offenders Register, reflecting the severity and nature of his crimes.
The court detailed the disturbing nature of the abuse, starting with an incident in Shah’s bedroom where he forced the young girl to suck his nipples, mimicking breastfeeding.
Prosecutor Robert Evans explained that this act was repeated on more than ten occasions over the decade.
Shah would take the girl to secluded places such as his car, his bedroom, or a swimming pool changing room to carry out further sexual abuse.
Evans described how Shah would manipulate the girl into playing a game called ‘footsies,’ where he would instruct her to remove her shoes and socks and interlock her toes with his.
This seemingly innocent game was a precursor to more serious sexual acts, including Shah stripping down to his pants and forcing the girl to touch him until he ejaculated.
The victim testified that at the time, she was too young to understand that these acts were wrong, only realizing the gravity of the situation when she was 14 and asked him to stop.
The abuse extended beyond physical acts in private settings.
Shah would take the girl in his car and park in alleyways, forcing her to perform sexual acts.
He also took her to his workplace, where he would lift her top and feel her chest, a behavior that increased as she matured.
The victim recounted that Shah would buy her gifts such as sweets and clothes, which she now believes were intended to keep her silent and compliant.
It was revealed that at around age 12, the victim’s older sister confided in their mother, expressing concerns that Shah was abusing her.
However, the victim herself initially denied the allegations, feeling too embarrassed to admit what was happening.
She described how Shah would ejaculate onto her, and she vividly recalls the smell of sweat and semen, sensations that continue to haunt her.
When she turned 14, the victim finally confronted Shah, telling him, “I don’t want you to touch me anymore.
I want you to stop.” This marked her attempt to break free from the abuse, leading her to run away from home and sever ties with her family for several years.
Despite Shah’s denial of all charges, the jury, composed of six men and six women, unanimously found him guilty on all counts.
Judge Sean Enright subsequently handed down the 12-year prison sentence, reflecting the gravity of his crimes and the lasting impact on the victim.
