WAHEED HUSSAIN FROM NORMANTON JAILED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT AT DERBY'S SARRY'S KEBAB HOUSE

In February 2021, the owner of one of Derby’s most popular kebab establishments, Sarry’s, faced justice after being convicted of a serious sexual assault involving a young female university student. Waheed Hussain, a resident of Portland Street, Normanton, was found guilty of assault by penetration that occurred within the confines of his food outlet located on Cheapside. The incident left the victim, a woman in her twenties and a student at the University of Derby, feeling overwhelmed by feelings of disgust, shame, embarrassment, and emotional numbness.

Hussain’s actions came to light after the victim bravely testified in court, reliving the traumatic experience of that night. She recounted how her time in Derby, a city she initially came to for her studies, was forever tainted by the assault. The woman described Derby as a place that transformed from a welcoming environment into one that she now associated with fear and revulsion, especially after her ordeal at the hands of Hussain.

The court proceedings revealed that Hussain, aged 48, had a history of questionable conduct. During the trial at Derby Crown Court, it was detailed how the victim had gone to Sarry’s on May 4, 2017, after a night out in the city centre. Hussain, who is a father of two, took her upstairs to his office under the pretense of showing her around. It was there that he sexually assaulted her. Despite denying the charges, Hussain was convicted by a jury of assault by penetration, forcing the victim to relive her experience through her testimony.

In sentencing, Recorder Paul Mann QC emphasized the significance of the case, noting that Sarry’s was a well-loved establishment among students and young people in Derby. The court heard CCTV footage from the night in question, which showed Hussain repeatedly patting and touching the bottoms and legs of female customers who had been allowed behind the counter. The victim, in a clearly intoxicated state, had gone upstairs with Hussain, who then took advantage of her vulnerability. He sat her on his knee before grabbing her and sexually assaulting her. Despite her attempts to pull away, Hussain held onto her, leaving her feeling betrayed and emotionally fragile.

The judge highlighted that Hussain’s conduct was part of a pattern of taking advantage of female customers, which was unacceptable for someone running a retail business. Hussain’s actions not only betrayed the trust placed in him but also caused lasting emotional damage to the victim. The court made it clear that individuals in positions of authority or trust must uphold certain standards and cannot exploit those who come into their premises.

In addition to the criminal conviction, the court also considered Hussain’s previous legal issues. In March 2019, he was convicted at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court for fly-tipping. Evidence presented at that hearing revealed that Hussain paid a sidekick £100 weekly to remove waste from Sarry’s. However, instead of disposing of the rubbish at the Raynesway tip, the waste was dumped in various locations between Littleover and Findern. Over eight months, authorities recovered 139 bags of rubbish, but estimates suggested the actual number was closer to 360 bags. The investigation was prompted by the discovery of receipts for Sarry’s in the dumped rubbish, which linked Hussain and his accomplice to the illegal dumping.

Hussain was sentenced to 21 months in prison for the sexual assault. Additionally, he was handed a 10-year sexual harm prevention order and was placed on the sex offender register for a decade. The victim, who was able to connect via a remote link during the sentencing hearing at Nottingham Crown Court, expressed her profound distress, stating that she had lost trust in men and wished to disappear after the incident. Her statement underscored the lasting impact of Hussain’s actions, describing how her experience at Sarry’s cast a dark shadow over her university years and her sense of safety in Derby.