OLDHAM MAN ZABED SHAH SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT AND DRUGS AT MANCHESTER HOTEL
In a disturbing case that highlights the dangers faced by vulnerable young people, Zabed Shah, a 27-year-old resident of Oldham, was convicted and sentenced for a series of heinous crimes involving the sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl and the supply of illegal drugs.The incident took place in December of the previous year, at a hotel in Manchester, where Shah lured two underage girls, aged 14 and 13, with the assistance of an older man, Abdul Latif, aged 30.
According to court proceedings, Shah took the two girls to the Manchester hotel along with another adult male.
Prior to the assault, both girls were given alcohol, which was part of Shah’s manipulative tactics to lower their inhibitions.
The 14-year-old girl was sexually assaulted by Shah during this encounter, an act that she bravely reported to the police, prompting an investigation into the incident.
In the days following the assault, authorities received reports that two more girls, aged 15 and 16, had gone missing from their homes in Greater Manchester.
The police’s Project Phoenix, a specialized unit dedicated to safeguarding vulnerable youth, was alerted to the situation.
They received intelligence indicating that Shah was present again at the same Manchester hotel where he had previously taken the young victims.
When officers arrived at the scene, they found Shah in a room with Abdul Latif and the two missing girls.
Both girls were found to be under the influence of drugs and alcohol, indicating that Shah and Latif had been involved in their exploitation and drug supply.
The police quickly detained Shah and Latif, leading to their subsequent court appearances.
During the trial, Shah pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including sexual assault on a child, attempting to pay for sexual services involving a minor, and supplying Class A drugs.
His sentencing took place at Minshull Street Crown Court, where he was handed a prison term of three years.
Additionally, Shah is required to sign the sex offenders register for a period of ten years, reflecting the severity of his crimes.
Abdul Latif, also from Oldham, was convicted of supplying Class A drugs and received a sentence of 27 months in prison.
The case underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat exploitation and protect vulnerable young people from predators operating within the community.
