A MET Police cop was caught on CCTV sexually assaulting a teenage girl while she shopped with her mum inside Tesco.
Hassnain Shahzad, 27, was queuing behind the girl and her mum and groped her bottom as he passed her.
Hassnain Shahzad was arrested at home on September 27, 2023
The assault took place at a central London Tesco branch on August 25, 2023 at 10.48pm.
Initially, the victim didn’t realise Shahzad had touched her on purpose, but caught a glimpse of him carrying him pineapple chunks.
This detail helped police identify him later on.
After leaving the store, CCTV showed Shahzad approach the victim on the pavement from behind, touching her yet again.
This act was clearly avoidable.
After arriving back at their hotel, the girl informed her mum as to what had happened to her.
Her mother said: “She was distraught and just wanted to go back home rather than the hotel.
“At this stage two young women approached us to see what had happened.
“They implored us to go back to the store and see how they could help us.
“I never got their names but I’m extremely grateful to them for taking the time to talk to us and suggesting we went back to Tesco and see the CCTV,” My London reports.
But her mum revealed the trial brought horror as well.
She said: “He has shown no moral compass or remorse. He’s only sorry he was caught.
“He was clearly aware of the age of his victim and putting her through the court process that most adults find hard to deal with.
“We had to listen to his defence suggest that it was a touch you might experience on a busy train.
“This was not a busy train, this was a wide pavement and he had followed us to continue his attack.”
Shahzad was later arrested at home on September 27, 2023 and a number of items were seized, including clothing identical to that shown on CCTV.
Video footage taken just two days later also showed him filming women on the street without their consent.
Shahzad was sentenced at Inner London Crown Court to six months in prison for both offences to run concurrently, suspended for 18 months.
He was also ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work.
Shahzad has now been found guilty of sexual assault by a jury on January 6 at Inner London Crown.
He will be on the sex offenders register for seven years with conditions.
Detective Constable Sarah Elsom, of the City of London Police, said: “Supporting the victim and her family has been at the forefront of our minds since we started investigating the case.
“Her courage throughout the two-year process has been inspirational.
“This was a deplorable crime carried out by someone who held a position of trust as a Metropolitan Police Special Constable.
“He had ample opportunity once presented with the clear evidence to admit to his crimes, but he decided to put his victim through court proceedings.
“Hassnain Shahzad is a convicted sex offender and thanks to the bravery of his victim, he has been brought to justice.
“It’s clear from the evidence taken from his phone this was not a one-off incident, Shahzad displayed predatory behaviour only two days after committing this heinous sexual assault.
“We’d urge sexual assault victims to come forward.
“You will be believed and listened to by a dedicated officer who will support you through the criminal justice system.”
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