‘Sex predator’ who assaulted girl is jailed
A‘SEXUAL predator’ who followed a teenage girl before sexually assaulting her has been jailed.
Umar Iqbal, 25, began to follow the 16-year-old girl through Rochdale at around 3.30pm on Thursday, March 5.
Minshull Street Crown Court heard Iqbal approached the girl as she was walking along Yorkshire Street.
He attempted to talk to her, but she felt uneasy and walked away.
Iqbal then followed her onto Princess Street, told her he liked her and asked if she had a boyfriend.
He took hold of her hand, pulled her towards a garage area and attempted to kiss her.
The victim said no and pulled away, but Iqbal then sexually assaulted her.
He then pressured the girl into giving him her phone number, which she did in the hope he would leave her alone.
The same evening he called her and spoke to her for a minute until the call ended.
The victim reported it to police the next day and officers traced Iqbal.
Iqbal pleaded guilty to sexual assault at an earlier hearing and appeared at Minshull Street Crown Court for sentencing on Thursday, May 4.
A judge sentenced him to three years in prison and he was ordered to sign the sex offender register for life.
He is also subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
Det Cons Ben Harris, of Rochdale’s Sunrise Child Sexual Exploitation Team, said: “Iqbal is a sexual predator who followed a 16-year-old girl and sexually assaulted her.
“I want to commend the girl for coming forward and supporting our investigation.
“Help and support will always be there for people who want to come forward and report sexual offences or speak to someone about concerns they may have.
“Thankfully Iqbal is now behind bars where he can’t target any more women.”