TARIQ SHAKOOR SENTENCED IN BIRMINGHAM FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF 15-YEAR-OLD STUDENT

In a case that has shocked the Birmingham community, Tariq Shakoor, a teacher at a local comprehensive school, has been sentenced to a total of two years behind bars for engaging in a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old pupil. The incident, which came to light through a court hearing, revealed a disturbing breach of trust involving a man who had dedicated over two decades of his life to education.

Shakoor, aged 44 at the time of sentencing, was a well-established figure within the Birmingham educational scene, serving as the head of a department at the school. His professional career spanned 23 years, during which he was regarded as a committed educator. However, his reputation was shattered when evidence emerged of his inappropriate conduct with a minor student. Following his conviction, he was immediately stripped of his position, which paid approximately £35,000 annually, and was dismissed from the school altogether.

The court proceedings detailed that the young girl involved was described as bright, intelligent, and sexually experienced prior to the incidents. To protect her identity, Judge Laurence Marshall issued an order restricting the disclosure of both the school and the teacher’s identities. The court heard that Shakoor admitted to three separate charges of abusing his position of authority, relating to sexual encounters that took place in February and March of the year in question. The evidence presented indicated that the relationship was not a one-time occurrence but involved multiple meetings outside of school hours, including sexual acts and even an overnight stay at the teacher’s residence.

It was revealed that at the time of the affair, Shakoor was separated from his wife, which added a layer of personal complexity to the case. The girl had confided in him about personal issues, which reportedly led their relationship to deepen beyond the boundaries of teacher and student. Rumors about their inappropriate relationship circulated among students and staff, prompting the school’s head teacher to alert the authorities. During police interviews, Shakoor admitted that he initially tried to resist the relationship, aware of the professional and moral implications. However, he eventually agreed to meet the girl, and after she expressed her willingness, they engaged in sexual activity.

The defense team highlighted Shakoor’s feelings of shame and low morale, citing personal struggles such as his wife leaving him as contributing factors. Despite this, the judge emphasized the severity of the breach of trust, reminding the court that the girl was not a virgin and had previous sexual experiences. The judge stated, “You were her teacher and you were entrusted by society and her parents to look after her. You abused that trust.”

As part of his sentence, Shakoor was ordered to serve two years in prison, followed by two years of supervised release. Additionally, he is required to register as a sex offender, a measure intended to protect the community from future harm. The Birmingham education authority confirmed that he was dismissed from his teaching role immediately after the allegations surfaced, reflecting the serious consequences of his actions and the breach of professional ethics involved.