A MIGRANT who raped a 15-year-old girl after arriving in the UK on a small boat claimed he was not aware of the “cultural” differences.
Sadeq Nikzad, 29, pounced on the teen in the street after luring her to the back of a pub.
AlamyThe attack took place in Falkirk town centre[/caption]
She was found “dazed” by a passer-by following the horror in October 2023 – two years after Nikzad arrived in Britain as an illegal immigrant from Afghanistan.
His defence lawyer Janice Green claimed the fiend has not been educated about the significant cultural differences between the UK and his home country where child marriage is common.
She also tried to argue the language gap between him and the victim and the fact she did not say “no” meant it was “not a typical stranger rape”.
The lawyer said: “I’m not suggesting that means that he reasonably believed (the victim) was consenting, but that there’s a reason why he could have misunderstood.”
Nikzad kicked off in court and branded the judge a “liar” after he was jailed for 12 years.
He had to be handcuffed by security after he began screaming and gesticulating wildly in the dock.
Nikzad will serve nine years in prison followed by three years on licence where he will be placed on the sex offenders register.
The predator will be deported at the end of his sentence, Livingston High Court heard.
Passing sentence, Judge Morris told Nikzad through an interpreter: “I appreciate that you don’t accept that you’ve done anything wrong, but the fact remains that you’ve been convicted of an extremely serious sexual offence against a child.
“I know your counsel has now explained to you that in those circumstances only a substantial custodial sentence is appropriate.”
The court was told Nikzad entered the UK illegally two years before the attack.
On October 16, 2023, the girl was walking through Falkirk town centre when she was approached by the fiend.
Nikzad repeatedly requested her telephone number, uttered sexual remarks then led her into a courtyard where he raped her.
The girl later said that she froze during the attack and was “quite shocked”.
A passer-by who found the teen said: “She looked stunned. I knew something had gone wrong.
“She came to me for comfort. She said she kept telling the guy she was only 15.”
Katrina Parkes, Procurator Fiscal for High Court Sexual Offences, said: “This was an appalling, opportunistic attack on a young girl who should have been safe going about her daily business.
“The victim should be commended for reporting Sadeq Nikzad to the police, ensuring that he has now been held accountable while also protecting others from harm.
“This type of offending will not be tolerated, and I hope this prosecution sends a clear message to men who commit serious acts of sexual violence against women and children.
“I would urge anyone who has experienced similar crime to report it. You will be listened to and supported as we use every tool available in seeking justice.”
Nikzad called the judge a ‘liar’ as he was sentenced Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
