The paedophile depicted is Wahid Riaz, who is a convicted child molester sex offender. Wahid Riaz not only engaged in sexual relations with a 14-year-old girl while employed as a cab driver in Burnley, but he also compelled his young victim to endure the stress of testifying in court despite denying his actions.
A jury at Preston Crown Court rejected his falsehoods, resulting in 52-year-old Wahid Riaz, of Causey Fott, Nelson, being sentenced to five years in prison and mandated to register as a sex offender for life.
On 23rd July 2023, shortly after midnight, Wahid Riaz collected the victim in his cab from Centenary Way in Burnley.
During the journey, the victim informed Wahid Riaz that she was 14; however, he asserted that she must be 16 or 17 and enquired whether she had been with an Asian male. The victim recorded films during the drive, documenting the exchange in which she disclosed her age as 14.
Wahid Riaz parked at the end of the victim’s street, instructed her to embrace him, and commenced kissing her. He thereafter participated in sexual intercourse with her, before delivering her to her residence.
Upon entering her residence, the victim proceeded directly to the toilet and vomited. She thereafter reclined on the sofa and wept herself to slumber.
In a statement to the court, the victim said: “Immediately after the incident, I had a deep feeling of being dirty. I had really long baths and showers, and I would scrub my body so much I would make it red. I was just trying to feel clean.
“This incident happened in summer, and I was really conscious about what I was wearing. I refused to wear shorts, skirts, or crop tops. I was anxious and asked myself if my clothes were too revealing or if they showed too much skin, what might happen to me. As I blamed myself and what I wore that night.”
She continued: “I am aware of the jury’s decision, and although I welcome this outcome, it doesn’t take away the fact that he hasn’t had any accountability for his actions. He is an older man, and he provides a not guilty account in court, and he cannot apologise for what he’s done.”
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