Dangerous predator groomed child on Snapchat and raped her

Earlier this year, Shah Sikander began communicating with the 14-year-old victim on the social media platform.

The 36-year-old deliberately tricked her into thinking he was a 22-year-old man called Sanchez, and he even sent her a photograph of a younger man, falsely claiming that to be him.

The victim had been clear she was under the age of 16 throughout her online communication with Sikander.

Before meeting his victim, Sikander offered to shower her with gifts, talked about meeting up for sex and successfully convinced her to send sexualised images of herself to him.

Having set up the meeting, Sikander travelled from his Warrington home to meet the victim in Poulton-le-Fylde in Lancashire on July 15.

He drove her to a remote location in Preston and raped her, before dropping her off in Blackpool town centre.

The victim told her family what had happened later the same evening.

Lancashire Police launched an investigation and Sikander was identified via CCTV footage of him dropping the victim off. He was arrested on the M6 the following day.

Presented with overwhelming evidence, Sikander, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to rape, child abduction and sexual communication with a child at Preston Crown Court

Judge Guy Mathieson described the defendant as a dangerous sexual predator and jailed him for 12 years.

Sikander was also ordered to sign the sex offender register for life and was made the subject of an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

Preston Crown Court (Image: Google Maps)

Judge Mathieson said there was a ‘catalogue’ of aggravating features in this case, with powerful victim impact statements read out in court reminding all present of the significant impact such crimes have on victims and their families.

In her victim impact statement, the victim said: “I try not to think about what happened, but when I do I cry.

“It is something I really struggle to talk about, but I will try. I find images can pop into my mind and I will be with my friends and suddenly be sad. It really lowers my mood.

“I really do not know how to feel. He has made me feel stupid. I pretend I am ok, but I often feel like it was my fault. Could I have changed it? How naive have I been?

“I try hard to push my thoughts to the back of my head, but I was scared and I do not like being scared because it makes me feel weak.

“Before this happened I slept well, but now I wake up often in the night. If I go out I get worried if I feel that a man is walking the same way as me, and I will change my route. I will not walk alone.”

Following the sentencing, DC Jamie Robinson, from Blackpool Child Protection Team, said: “Sikander is a very dangerous man who targeted a child and put her through a horrendous ordeal.

“However, he underestimated the resilience of that child, her supportive family, and our joint determination to bring him to justice.

“The victim in this case was completely innocent and was entitled to go onto social media and socialise without a sexual predator targeting her and subjecting her to a horrendous attack.

“However, it should serve as a timely reminder to both parents and children to be cautious when using social media and not to take everybody at their word.

“If you are intending to meet someone you have met online in person, we would always encourage you to tell a friend or family member where you are going, meet in a public place and always keep the location setting on your phone live. Where appropriate always try and go with a friend.

“I welcome the significant sentence handed down to Sikander and I hope it gives other victims the confidence to come forward, knowing they will be listened to, believed and we will do everything in our power to put the perpetrator before the courts.”