A dangerous paedophile from Leeds has been handed an eight year prison sentence after abducting a 14-year-old girl and engaging in sexual activities with her in a caravan.
Javed Iqbal, 48, was described as a ‘danger to children’ following his sentencing at Leeds Crown Court.
He had picked up the girl from Leeds and taken her to farmland near Grimsby where he was eventually arrested by officers from the Humberside Police.
Iqbal began to groom the teenager in August last year, buying her and her friends alcohol before being stopped by police in Roundhay whilst in her company.
He was arrested and released on police bail with the condition of not having unsupervised contact with any persons under the age of 18.
On 24th May, Iqbal arranged to meet the girl outside Armley Library before driving her to the secluded farm.
After being reported missing by her mother, police went to search Iqbal’s home yet he was not there. They received information about his caravan in Humberside and when officers went there, he was discovered with the 14-year-old.
Iqbal pleaded guilty to abducting a child and two offences of sexual activity with a child.
Judge Tom Bayliss, QC, said: “You are an adult and the legislation is designed to protect children from predatory paedophiles like you.
“It must be made clear to you and anyone else who thinks that it is legitimate to have sexual relations with a child, that the courts will pass sentences which reflect the need to deter that sort of behaviour.”
After the case, Detective Inspector David Roberts, of Leeds District Safeguarding Unit, said: “Iqbal set out to groom and sexually exploit a vulnerable young girl knowing that she was only 14-years-old.
“He clearly represents a danger to children and we hope his conviction for these offences will provide some reassurance to the victim, her family and to the wider community.
“The sexual exploitation and abuse of children and young people is a despicable and insidious crime and we remain committed to working alongside our partner agencies to identify those at risk and to bring those responsible to justice.
“We hope successful convictions such as this will help to give other victims the confidence to come forward.”
