Child sex abuse trial: Defendant "thought girls were over 16"

A MAN accused of sexually abusing three girls told a court he had sexual intercourse with them but he never thought they were younger than 16.
Mohammed Imran AkhtarMohammed Imran Akhtar
Mohammed Imran Akhtar

A MAN accused of sexually abusing three girls told a court he had sexual intercourse with them - but he never thought they were younger than 16.

Mohammed Imran Akhtar (37), of Godstone Road, Rotherham, is on trial at Sheffield Crown Court accused of eight child sexual exploitation offences against three girls between 1998 and 2005.

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Akhtar and seven other men are standing trial at Sheffield Crown Court accused of 27 offences mostly relating to child sexual exploitation between 1998 and 2005.

The charges are part of the National Crime Agency's investigation into historic CSE in the town — dubbed Operation Stovewood — between 1997 and 2013.

Akhtar gave evidence from the witness stand today (Tuesday) and denied knowing any of the women were under 16.

Referring to the first woman to give evidence during the trial, Akhtar's defence counsel, Mr Nawaz Hussain, said: “Did you ever think [the girl] was younger than 16-years-old?”

Akhtar replied: “No, I never thought that.”

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Mr Hussain said: “Did she ever tell you she was younger than 16?”

Akhtar replied: “No.”

Mr Hussain said: “Did she ever tell you her age?”

Akhtar replied: “No, I don't remember.”

Akhtar told jurors that he accepted he had sexual intercourse with the girl “on at least four or five occasions”.

He said he had been “in a relationship” with the girl’s sister for “six or seven months”.

Mr Hussain said: “Did you ever think she [the sister] was under the age of 16?”

Akhtar replied: “No, I never thought that.”

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Mr Hussain said: “Do you accept having sex with [the girl]?”

Akhtar replied: “Yes, that’s correct.”

Akhtar told jurors he had “an affair” with a third girl, during his marriage, which lasted for around three or four months.

Mr Hussain said: “Did you at any time think she was under the age of 16?”

Akhtar replied: “No, I didn’t.”

Mr Hussain said: “You accept having sexual intercourse with [the girl]?”

Akhtar replied: “Yes.”

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Akhtar is accused of repeatedly indecently assaulting a girl between 1998 and 2000, when she was aged between 13 and 15.

He is accused of supplying cannabis to the girl at around the same time.

Akhtar is alleged to have repeatedly indecently assaulted the girl’s sister between 1998 and 2001, when she would have been aged between 12 and 15.

He is accused of repeatedly raping a third girl between 2001 and 2003, when she would have been aged between 14 and 16, indecently assaulting her and procuring her to have sex with other men.

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Akhtar is accused of aiding and abetting his cousin, Tanweer Ali (37), of Godstone Road, Rotherham, to rape the girl and of keeping her in false imprisonment.

He is also accused of sexually assaulting the girl between 2004 and 2005 when she was aged 17 or 18.

Akhtar was today cleared of indecently assaulting the first girl by forcing her to perform sexual acts on him in Tinsley between July, 1998 and July, 2000.

Judge Sarah Wright directed the jury to return a not guilty verdict based on the complainant’s evidence during the trial.

The trial continues.

 

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