WAQAS MAHMOOD SHOCKS PERTH WITH SEXUAL PREDATOR BEHAVIOR NEAR SCHOOLS
In a disturbing series of incidents that have shocked the Perth community, Waqas Mahmood, a 28-year-old man, was involved in multiple acts of sexual misconduct that drew the attention of local authorities and the court system.The events, which took place primarily in the vicinity of Perth's schools and residential areas, highlight a pattern of predatory behavior that has left residents and officials deeply concerned.
In November 2019, Mahmood was brought before Perth Sheriff Court after a series of allegations involving public indecency and sexual exposure.
The court heard that he had carried out a sex act on himself inside his vehicle, a black BMW, in close proximity to Perth Academy.
Two teenage girls, aged 13 and 15, who were walking nearby, witnessed his actions.
The girls had approached his vehicle, ostensibly seeking directions, only to see Mahmood engaging in a sexual act while sitting in his car.
This incident was part of a broader pattern of behavior that included exposing himself to other teenage girls in the same area.
Despite the evidence against him, Mahmood maintained his innocence, claiming it was a case of mistaken identity.
However, the court was presented with compelling evidence, including DNA traces found on items within his vehicle, which linked him to the incidents.
The jury, after deliberation, found him guilty of two charges of sexual exposure involving teenage girls.
These incidents occurred on March 22 and March 27, 2018, on Viewlands Road and Viewlands Road West, respectively.
In the first incident, Mahmood was accused of exposing himself to two 13-year-old girls, while in the second, he exposed himself to a 15-year-old girl.
During the court proceedings, the prosecution described Mahmood as a man unable to control his impulses, who drove around Perth targeting young girls for his own sexual gratification.
The depute fiscal, Eilidh Robertson, emphasized that Mahmood's behavior was calculated, with him calling girls over to his vehicle under the pretense of asking for directions, only to carry out his acts once they approached.
The jury's verdict was unanimous, and Mahmood was convicted of these sexual offenses.
The court added his name to the sex offenders’ register, and a sentence was deferred pending background reports.
In a further twist, Mahmood’s legal representatives argued that he and his family had recently moved south of the border to be near his wife’s mother, who was experiencing health issues.
His wife, who reportedly struggles with mobility, was described as the primary carer for Mahmood.
The court was told that Mahmood’s actions were not motivated by malice but were part of a pattern of troubling behavior that he claimed was driven by personal issues.
Earlier in 2019, Mahmood’s disturbing conduct was highlighted when he was caught driving around Perth’s school zones, targeting children for exposure.
Witnesses and police reports detailed how he would park near schools and behave inappropriately, exposing himself to young girls.
The court heard that he had been involved in similar incidents in the vicinity of Perth Academy and other nearby streets, with evidence including DNA traces and forensic analysis linking him to the acts.
In court, Mahmood’s defense argued that the evidence was insufficient for a conviction beyond reasonable doubt.
They pointed out limitations in the DNA evidence and noted that Mahmood had not chosen to testify, instead providing a police statement.
Nevertheless, the jury rejected his account, and he was found guilty of the charges.
The court ordered that he be placed on the sex offenders’ register and deferred sentencing to allow for further reports, including a medical assessment of his wife’s health and circumstances.
As the case continues, the community remains unsettled by the revelations of Mahmood’s actions near schools and residential areas in Perth.
Authorities have reiterated their commitment to protecting children and ensuring that offenders are held accountable for their crimes, while residents are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious behavior to the police.
