Sex abuse accusations made my life a living hell
Market man tells of relief after being cleared
AN Accrington market stallholder accused of sexually assaulting an underage girl has spoken of his relief after he was cleared.
Javid Raza, who has run Jass Fashion Jeans for nearly 30 years, said he is delighted to be back to work after the judge ruled he had no case to answer. Jurors at Burnley Crown Court were instructed by Judge Beverley Lunt to find the 59-year-old not guilty of historic indecent assaults.
Five other men have also been found not guilty of various sexual offences against the same accuser.
Speaking to the Observer after the trial, Mr Raza said he has been living in a ‘nightmare’ for the last two years and thanked his family, customers and market staff for their support.
The father-of-three said: “I’m so happy this is over. For two years this has been over my head.
“What I’ve gone through and what my family has gone through for two years is unbelievable.”
AN Accrington market stallholder accused of sexually assaulting an underage girl has spoken of his relief after he was cleared by a jury.
Javid Raza, who has run Jass Fashion Jeans for nearly 30 years, said he can’t wait to get back to work after the judge ruled he had no case to answer. Jurors at Burnley Crown Court were instructed by Judge Beverley Lunt to find the 59-year-old not guilty of historic indecent assaults.
Five other men have also been found not guilty of various sexual offences against the same accuser.
Speaking to the Observer after the trial, Mr Raza said it has been living in a ‘ nightmare’ for the last two years and thanked the support of his family, customers and market staff.
The father-of-three said: “I’m so happy this is over. For two years this has been over my head.
“What I’ve gone through and what my family has gone through for two years is unbelievable. All the other traders will be pleased as well. The market hall staff and management have been absolutely brilliant and really supportive all the way through and I really appreciate that. I have got really nice customers and they have always supported me. They have been absolutely brilliant. I can’t thank them enough for their support.
“I want to say a massive thank you to all my family and the people who supported me. I really can’t thank them enough.”
The former taxi driver, of Crosshill Road, Blackburn, said he was shocked when the allegations were first made and that the court proceedings have damaged his confidence.
He said: “I was so emotional when I first heard [the allegations]. I thought I was dreaming and in a nightmare. I couldn’t believe what was happening. I knew all along I was innocent but you don’t know what’s going to happen and you are worried.
“I’ve been working in the market for such a long time and never once had a complaint. All my life I try to play a fair part I society and then somebody comes up from nowhere.
“Your trust is just gone. All my confidence is gone over the last two years. I can’t even talk to young people now.”
Mr Raza said he is now looking forward to getting back to work after missing time while the trial was taking place.
He said: “I’ve missed the market a lot. I’m going to be going straight back to work. I’ve never missed a day working at the market in my life.”