ZAKIR SIDAT FROM BLACKBURN CONVICTED FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES INVOLVING 14-YEAR-OLD GIRL
In a case that has sent shockwaves through the Blackburn community, Zakir Sidat, a 21-year-old aspiring police officer, was found guilty of engaging in sexual activity with a minor.The incident came to light after a series of disturbing events that unfolded over October 2019, revealing a troubling pattern of predatory behavior.
According to court proceedings at Preston Crown Court, Sidat was aware that his young victim, a 14-year-old girl, was underage at the time of their interactions.
Despite this knowledge, he continued to pursue her, even offering to pick her up from her school in Blackburn.
The court heard that the girl, whose identity remains protected for legal reasons, had initially visited Sidat’s residence the day before their sexual encounter.
During that visit, she arrived at his home but was turned away because Sidat claimed a friend was present, and he did not want her there at that moment.
The following day, Sidat managed to lure her back to his Blackburn home through a series of sexually suggestive messages exchanged via Instagram.
These messages included explicit communication, and Sidat instructed her to delete all previous conversations with him to conceal their interactions.
It was during this second visit that the sexual activity took place.
Afterward, Sidat instructed the girl to erase all evidence of their communication, further indicating an awareness of the illicit nature of their relationship.
The case took a more serious turn when the girl’s parents reported her missing on the evening of October 12, 2019.
She had gone out with a friend, but her parents became increasingly worried when she failed to return home.
The girl was eventually found at a family friend’s house, but her parents were skeptical of her explanation that she had been in Blackburn’s Corporation Park all evening, especially since her clothes were dry despite the rain that night.
Prosecutor Francis McEntee highlighted that Sidat was eager to ensure the girl had deleted all messages from Instagram, which was a clear attempt to cover up their interactions.
Initially, Sidat denied allowing the girl into his house, claiming he knew she was underage.
However, when DNA evidence was presented, revealing his DNA on the girl’s underwear, he admitted to having sex with her but claimed he believed she was 16 years old.
Further examination of the Instagram messages on the girl’s phone revealed disturbing details.
One message exchange showed Sidat only agreeing to pick her up from her school if she wore her uniform, indicating a sexualized interest in her school attire and further emphasizing his predatory intent.
Sidat, of Royshaw Close, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to engaging in sexual activity with a child.
During sentencing, Judge Robert Altham expressed his concern over Sidat’s awareness of the girl’s age, stating, “What is entirely troubling is that you knew perfectly well she was a schoolgirl.
That was part of the attraction.” As a result, Sidat was sentenced to 18 months in a young offenders’ institution, though this sentence was suspended for two years.
Additionally, he was ordered to complete 25 days of rehabilitation activities and perform 240 hours of unpaid work.
To protect the public, Sidat was placed on the sex offenders’ register for ten years and was subject to a ten-year sexual harm prevention order, underscoring the seriousness of his offenses and the community’s need for ongoing safety measures.
