Jail for man who had sex with girl (14) at Burnley ‘doss house’

Eyayor Miah (27), then drinking a bottle of vodka a day, had undressed the vulnerable and naive 14-year-old, before putting her on a bed and having consensual sex with her.

Miah, who knew the victim’s age, then disappeared for a few months and got married in Bangladesh, Burnley Crown Court heard.

The hearing was told the victim had been plied with vodka shots at the property in Stoneyholme, which was frequented by girls and Asian men.

Miah, then of Brougham Street, Burnley, but more recently living in Northwich, Cheshire, had admitted sexual activity with a child in February last year. He was ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for life and was banned from working with children.

The defendant also received a five-year sexual offences prevention order, under which he is banned from associating or socialising with any girl under 16, unless supervised by the child’s parent or guardian, who has knowledge of his conviction.

Mr Robert Elias (prosecuting) said: “This is a very disturbing case of the grooming of vulnerable young girls.”

Mr Elias said girls and Asian men would meet at the house and would, according to the victim, chill out, drink, listen to music and smoke cannabis and cigarettes.

The 14-year-old kissed and cuddled the defendant and he then took her upstairs.

After the offence, Miah disappeared. He was arrested in Brougham Street in January this year.

He ran out of the back door when police turned up, was detained and made no comment when questioned. He had a record for motoring and violence offences.

Mr David Bentley (defending) said the offence was isolated and did follow on the back of any pattern of such behaviour. He knew his conduct had been harmful and unacceptable. Miah refuted the victim had told him directly she was 14.

Mr Bentley added: “He denies in any way grooming this individual. He was not involved in buying any alcohol.”

The barrister said at the time the defendant had been dependent on vodka and that would have affected his judgement and mindset.

He was devastated and deeply ashamed by what he had done and he may be shunned by the community in which he lived.

“He knows this offence will ruin his life, but he has to face the consequences.”

Sentencing, Judge Jonathan Gibson told Miah: “It’s clear that at that house young girls were being groomed for sex, although I accept you weren’t involved personally in grooming.

“But, the girl was vulnerable and needed to be protected and instead you used her for your own sexual gratification.”