Locations
Hubbards Close, Uxbridge, Greater London, UB8
Description
A sex offender who groomed a child online before meeting her in Swale has been jailed.
Asif Mirza was caught with the victim inside his car after concerns were raised by an alert Kent Police employee.
Mirza initially contacted the victim through social media at the start of 2024 and showed sympathy when she disclosed some personal issues that concerned her.
Having gained the girl’s trust Mirza pressured her to send him some indecent images.
They agreed to meet at a park in Sittingbourne on 2 August and, when the victim felt unwell, he encouraged her to sit in the rear of his car which was parked in Avenue of Remembrance.
Indecent act
Mirza then covered the windows to obscure the view of anyone walking past and committed an indecent act in the girl’s presence.
At this point a member of police staff walked past the vehicle and thought it appeared suspicious. Officers were called to the scene and, after knocking on the car windows, Mirza got out followed by the child.
He claimed she was his step-daughter but, when he was unable to give her full name, Mirza admitted they had met online and he was arrested.
Mirza, of Hubbards Close, Uxbridge, London, was later charged. At Maidstone Crown Court, he pleaded guilty to several offences including meeting a child following sexual grooming and sexual activity with a child.