Coleraine man jailed for 11 sex offences

Shakir Raza (36), whose address was given as Donegall Street, Belfast, appeared at North Antrim Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday for sentencing after he was convicted of eleven charges - nine of sexual assault and two of indecent assault.

Deputy District Judge, Philip Mateer, told Raza he will also be subject to a Sexual Offence Prevention Order for seven years.

Defence solicitor Mr Neil Moore, who told the court his client still denied the crimes against the teenage girls and continued to plead his innocence, immediately lodged an appeal and his client was released on bail.

The alleged incidents took place on dates between January 1, 2009 and March 3, 2009.

Whilst giving video evidence to the court during the contest in December, one of the girls claimed that Raza “had a particular habit of squeezing her on the bum”.

When asked why she failed to report the incidents at the time, the court heard it was “only after he took it too far” that she spoke to a co-worker.

Raza had started off making comments to the girl about how well she was doing at work.

Incidents then followed where he touched her bottom and breast and later on the “front part” of her bottom.

The girl told District Judge Philip Mateer that she thought he had picked on her at work.

During the evidence of the second girl, she said that Raza “included an account of pleasure” derived by him as she bent down to pick something off the floor and he looked down her top.

There were also allegations that Raza called her pet names, including “sexy bum” and that he said he couldn’t “resist her curves”.

Judge Mateer said the girl’s account was another example of a young girl “willing to tolerate this kind of behaviour which, in the employment field, is clearly regarded as sexual harassment.”

He added: “There is nothing to cause me to think that anything she says is untrue.

“(Raza’s) case is essentially that these are made up comments. That it was done to get him dismissed because he’s a hard taskmaster and a demanding boss.”

Shakir Raza, who originally lived at Hazeldene Drive, Coleraine, originally came to Northern Ireland from Pakistan in 2002.

During his evidence to the court, Raza said the allegations were “all just fabricated just because I wasn’t really liked”.

He said the staff were not happy about the fact that he had cut their hours and set them cleaning tasks.

Of one of the girls, Raza said: “She never worked with me.” He denied touching both girls, adding: “It’s just created and she created (it) very well with the support of other staff members. That’s what it is.”

In relation to the incident about looking down the girl’s top, he said: “The whole thing was made up.”

During last Wednesday’s short sentence hearing the defence said the incident has had a “serious impact on himself, his wife and his two young children”.

“He (Raza) has been intimidated out of his home in Coleraine and has been forced to move in to sheltered accomodation in Belfast,” said Mr Moore.

“His wife has continued to give her his full support, but it has caused major strain and he is currently undergoing psychological treatment.”

Deputy District Judge Mateer told Raza his problems were caused by his own “offending behaviour”.

“Think of the effect this has had on your victims,” he said.

“These were two young girls in their place and you used your authoruty to breach their trust.

“They have been adversely effected by your behaviour.”

Raza was released on £400 bail pending an appeal.