SHERAZ BHATTI'S DANGEROUS PLOT IN MANCHESTER: ATTEMPTED ABDUCTION IN STOCKPORT ENDS IN JAIL
A man identified as Sheraz Bhatti, who authorities believe poses a significant threat to children, has been sentenced to prison following a disturbing incident in Stockport.The events unfolded on March 20 last year when Bhatti was observed sitting in his distinctive orange and black Mini Cooper on Jacksons Lane, located in the Hazel Grove area of Stockport.
According to court reports, Bhatti noticed a 14-year-old boy walking home and deliberately called out to him to attract his attention.
He then proceeded to ask the young teenager if he wanted to get into his vehicle.
During this interaction, Bhatti offered to take the boy home and claimed he had drinks to give him.
Fortunately, the boy chose to ignore the offer and continued walking.
Upon reaching home, he informed his parents about the encounter, prompting them to contact the police immediately.
Law enforcement officers launched an investigation that uncovered troubling details.
It was revealed that Bhatti had conducted an internet search for a school located on the same street where he had parked his car, indicating premeditation.
The authorities also identified the Mini Cooper as belonging to Bhatti and located it parked outside his residence in Wythenshawe the following day.
Further scrutiny of Bhatti’s electronic devices led to the seizure of two phones.
The police discovered nearly 300 indecent images of children stored on these devices, with some classified as Category A, representing the most severe type of child exploitation material.
Other images fell into Category B and C.
Additionally, it was found that Bhatti had four bank accounts that he had not disclosed to the authorities, breaching the conditions of his sex offender notification requirements.
These requirements had been imposed following a previous conviction for sexual offences in 2008.
Initially, Bhatti denied any involvement in attempting to abduct the boy, but he did admit to being present at the scene.
In December of the previous year, he pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including attempting to abduct a child, making indecent photographs of a child (three counts), possessing indecent images (two counts), distributing an indecent image, and failing to comply with the sex offender notification obligations.
On August 16, at Minshull Street Crown Court, Bhatti, residing on Longhope Road in Wythenshawe, was sentenced to four years and three months in prison.
Richard Holliday, Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West, emphasized the gravity of the case, stating, “This incident encapsulates every parent’s worst nightmare.
Sheraz Bhatti clearly poses a danger to children.” He also expressed gratitude to the young boy for his quick thinking in alerting authorities, which was instrumental in bringing Bhatti to justice and preventing further potential harm.
The CPS reaffirmed its commitment to prosecuting offenders of this nature and safeguarding children from abuse.
