Pervert in the flower bed

A sex attacker preyed on a teenage girl after she went to help a drunken man who had fallen asleep in a flowerbed.

The victim had spotted the man lying unconscious amongst the flowers outside Boots in Bedford Town Centre on 16 August 2021.

Seeing her distressed, Zeshan Akhtar, 35, took the opportunity to approach her and offer her support as he led her away.

Akhtar then tried to kiss her and threatened to steal her phone if she did not comply.

She told him her age and tried to run away, but Akhtar grabbed her and sexually abused her.

The pervert then walked along with the terrified girl holding her hand before assaulting her again just 160 yards from her home.

Akhtar, of Wavendon Gate, Milton Keynes, denied but was convicted of two counts of sexual assault and one of assault by penetration at Luton Crown Court.

He was jailed for seven years.

DC Katie Tavener, from Bedfordshire Policed Rape and Serious Sexual Assault (RASSO) team, investigating, said: ‘No woman or girl should ever be made to feel scared and helpless.

‘Akhtar took advantage of a situation to sexually assault a vulnerable young girl. When she said no, he ignored her, and no will always mean no.

‘The victim showed true bravery by coming forward and reporting what had happened.

‘We understand this can be difficult to talk about, but if you have been a victim, please report it. We have a number of highly experienced and trained officers and support services here to help. If you are ready to talk, we are here to listen.’