Swift Justice: Afghan Predator Jailed 48 Hours After Ellesmere Port Attack

The court was entitled to disapply the presumption where it considered there to be a significant risk of harm to the public or where exceptional circumstances justified immediate imprisonment. In this case, the age of the complainant, the nature of the sexual offence, and the defendant’s lack of a fixed address were all factors capable of elevating both culpability and risk.

Under the Sentencing Council guidelines for sexual assault, offences involving children are treated as inherently serious, with the victim’s age constituting a significant aggravating feature.

The court is also required to consider whether a community-based disposal is realistically workable.

A defendant of no fixed abode may be considered unsuitable for a suspended sentence involving supervision, curfew, or electronic monitoring, as there is no stable environment in which such requirements can be enforced.

The magistrates were further entitled to conclude that immediate custody was necessary for public protection, a recognised exception under the new statutory framework.

Sexual offences involving minors are routinely treated as falling within this category, given the potential for both physical and psychological harm.

Chief Inspector Daniel Reynolds, of Ellesmere Port Local Policing Unit, said: “Hasib was quickly arrested minutes after the incident was reported, and in less than 48 hours has been charged and jailed for his actions.

“This highlights how seriously we take offences of this nature and we will take robust action.

“We understand the concern that this incident is likely to have caused in the local community, and we hope the swift conclusion of this case will provide members of the public with some reassurance.

“If you have any concerns about offences of this nature, please report them to us via 101 or through the Cheshire Police website.”

The case was concluded at the first available hearing following charge, with the defendant’s guilty plea enabling the court to proceed directly to sentence.