(Image: West Yorkshire Police)
A judge who jailed a man for sexually abusing a woman in a Bradford district care home noted that he “did not have the courage to give evidence” at his trial.
In August, former care worker Idris Sheikh was convicted by a jury of engaging in sexually activity with a mentally disordered female.
The verdict was unanimous and followed the presentation of evidence by police officers based on the victim’s own disclosures to care home staff.
Man to never work in care home industry 'ever again'
Sheikh did not give evidence during the trial and turned down an opportunity to give evidence during the sentencing hearing on Friday.
He continues to deny the offending. He has since lost his job.
At Bradford Crown Court today His Honour Judge Christopher Smith jailed Sheikh for 20 months and told him he would not be working in the care home industry “ever again”.
Sheikh, 46, of Carlisle Place in Bradford, will also have to register as a sex offender for the next ten years.
Prison the only option for judge
Judge Smith, who presided over the trial, told Sheikh: “The most vulnerable members of society are entitled to the protection of the courts.
“In my judgement, the message has got to go out clearly and unambiguously that those who are given the responsibility of looking after the most vulnerable in society, who families trust to look after their loved ones… those who abuse that trust, those that offend against such vulnerable members of society, must face condign punishment.
“In my judgement the seriousness of this offending means that appropriate punishment can only be achieved by immediate imprisonment.”
'You did not have courage to give evidence'
Judge Smith said Sheikh’s victim “had such vulnerabilities” that she did not have the capacity to give evidence in court personally.
During the trial, the court heard that Sheikh carried out three different kinds of sexual touching and his DNA was discovered on the victim's clothing.
Judge Smith said: “You did not have the courage to give evidence in this case.
“The jury convicted you unanimously on what I conclude was the clearest of evidence.”
Man is carer for his parents
In mitigation the court heard that Sheikh did not represent a high risk of future offending and that there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.
He was said to be the primary carer for his father, who suffers from dementia, and also had caring responsibilities for his mother.
Sentencing Sheikh to 20 months’ imprisonment, Judge Smith said he would serve a proportion of that – around a third – before being eligible for release and observed: “It might be a short period of time that you are in prison.”
He added: “The clang of the prison gates and the cell doors will bring home to you the seriousness of your offending and will help to send a message out to others lest they be tempted to abuse the trust put in them by others.”