Man admits child abduction and sex charge

Mohammed Imran Amjad (26), of Halifax Road, Brierfield, pleaded guilty to the offences on a girl who was aged between 13 and 15 at the time.

The offences happened approximately between April and September 2010 at an address in Sackville Street, Brierfield.

The guilty pleas came part way through a trial at Manchester Crown Court. Amjad had initially denied the charges. He was acquitted on direction of the judge of other charges of rape and aid, abet, counsel or procure rape, encouraging or assisting an offence and witness intimidation.

Sentencing was adjourned until April 26th.

Five other men – Haroon Mahmood (22), of John Street, Brierfield, Mohammed Suleman Farooq (23), of Berry Street, Brierfield, Omar Mazafer (22), of Halifax Road, Brierfield, Mohammed Zeeshan Amjad (25), of Halifax Road, Brierfield, and Shiraz Afzal (26), of Mansfield Crescent, Brierfield, were acquitted on direction of the judge of various sex offences against the same girl.

Det. Chief Insp. Sion Hall, of Burnley Police, said: “This has been a long and complicated investigation and we have worked extremely hard with the victim over a long period of time in order to gain her trust. She has been very brave and courageous throughout the case and we will continue to offer her and her family help and support for as long as it is needed.

“This type of predatory crime will not be tolerated and we will continue to target, warn and prosecute offenders to hit home the message that this type of behaviour is not just unacceptable, it is criminal.”