21 years for fugitive Bradford businessman who raped girl, 13, 100 times

A BRADFORD businessman who raped and sexually abused a 13-year-old girl more than 100 times was handed a 21-year prison sentence in his absence today.

Mohammed Nawaz, 57, disappeared in the middle of his trial in October, when he was convicted of four counts of rape and five indecent assaults committed on two girls.

Mr Justice Treacy, sitting at Teesside Crown Court, said Nawaz had shown a "total absence of shame, of recognition of what he has done and of remorse" and was probably now hiding in Pakistan.

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He handed down an extended sentence of 16 years jail plus another five years extension, subject to licence, because of the seriousness of Nawaz's offending.

During his trial at Bradford Crown Court, the shamed businessman even got his children to lie on his behalf to fabricate a defence, the judge said.

Nawaz, of Flockton Road, East Bowling, Bradford, repeatedly preyed on one girl at the flat he owned above his take-away in Stanningley, Leeds.

The judge said: "These acts occurred on dozens and dozens of occasions, probably running into three figures."

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He would use bribes of cigarettes and slaps to coerce the child, and would sit in his car waiting for her to pass him in the street.

"This shows a degree of predatory ruthlessness towards an underage girl," the judge said.

He also picked on a younger girl, aged 11, who was also abused.

The offending was prolonged and "committed in a manipulative and cynical way", the judge said.

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The rapist even made his victim believe she was to blame and there has been lasting damage caused to her, the court heard.

Nawaz was held in high esteem in his local community, the court heard, having lived in the UK for 40 years and running a successful business and becoming a landlord.

The judge made a Sexual Offences Prevention Order which bans Nawaz from contacting either victim and prevents him from unsupervised contact with any girl under 16.

He will automatically be banned from working with children.

"I pass an extended sentence of 21 years, which comprises a custodial term of 16 years with a five year extension subject to licence," the judge said.

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West Yorkshire Detective Inspector Ian Mottershaw said: "We are investigating the possibility that he has fled the country and we are working with the appropriate international authorities to locate him and secure his return.

"If you have any information as to his whereabouts, please contact police on 0845 6060606 or Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555 111."

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