A sexual predator Preston Paedophile, Sabbir Patel, who assaulted a schoolgirl has been sentenced to six years in prison.
Sabbir Patel, 59, was apprehended with the 14-year-old at an abandoned structure undergoing renovation by a relative in 2024.
Sabbir Patel was observed at Ribbleton Park, Preston, with the minor subsequent to receiving a child abduction warning from the police.
The child declined to cooperate with the authorities but subsequently authored a letter entitled ‘Things That Happened with That Guy,’ detailing the abuse inflicted by Sabbir Patel.
In August 2023, the minor disappeared from home and was located in Sabbir Patel’s flat. Officers said that he appeared ‘excessively touchy’ with the adolescent, even in their vicinity.
Preston Crown Court was informed that Sabbir Patel instructed the girl to erase their messages.
However the texts were later recovered and showed some ‘reciprocal messages of affection’ and other messages which suggested the girl was upset and possibly self harming.
“You knew full well this was a deviant relationship,” Judge Maher said. “You ordered her to delete those messages to save your own skin.”
In a victim impact statement, the girl’s mum said her daughter has become withdrawn and quiet and her education has been affected. She was excluded from school after an incident with a teacher and only felt able to sit her maths and English GCSEs.
In March 2025, Sabbir Patel was jailed for child abduction concerning the girl; however, details of the sexual abuse he subsequently confessed to were unknown.
He received a community order but was promptly remanded in detention upon the emergence of evidence regarding his sexual offences.
Sabbir Patel, residing on Ripon Terrace in Preston, admitted guilt to attempted rape and engaging in sexual conduct with a minor.
The court was informed of his cancer diagnosis, which results in discomfort.
Judge Maher said: “You, it seems, have significantly damaged her sexual development and physical wellbeing. Your inappropriate relationship has impacted on the way she interacts with other people.”
He handed Sabbir Patel an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and added his name to the sex offenders register for life.
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