A pharmacy manager who lied about his age to groom an underage girl on Snapchat before sexually abusing her has been sentenced to an extended nine-year term at Bradford Crown Court, with seven years to be served in custody and a further two on licence.
Shahzad Hussain, 27, of Browsholme Street, Keighley, was found guilty following a trial of six offences relating to sexual activity with a child, all committed in 2022. Recorder Richard Paige imposed the extended sentence on the grounds that Hussain posed a serious risk of harm to children. He must also register as a sex offender for life and will be subject to a 15-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
The court heard that Hussain had contacted the teenage victim through Snapchat and continued to pursue her despite being made aware of her age. He had told the girl he was 21, concealing his true age as part of the grooming process, before the abuse took place.
Recorder Paige made reference during sentencing to a victim impact statement submitted by the girl’s father, which described the “devastating” consequences the abuse had inflicted on both the victim and her wider family.
The case forms part of a wider set of proceedings involving the same victim. Last month, Ahmer Hamid, 29, of Wellands Terrace, Bradford, was jailed for nine years after being found guilty of driving the girl to a secluded location and raping her in a separate incident, also in 2022.
Defending Hussain, John Batchelor described his client as a man of previous good character who had managed a pharmacy, and acknowledged the gravity of what had occurred. “He’s paid the ultimate price for what was effectively a weekend of terrible behaviour towards this young complainant,” Batchelor said. He added that Hussain had lost his employment as a result of the conviction and would face the task of rebuilding his life following his release.
The court was told that Hussain accepted the jury’s verdicts and wished to apologise to the complainant and her family.
Hussain will serve his licence period of two additional years in the community upon release, during which he will remain subject to the conditions of the Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
