Newsagent sexually assaulted vulnerable 13-year-old

Muhammad Shahbaz
Muhammad Shahbaz

A Brixton man has been found guilty of sexually assaulting a vulnerable 13-year-old girl in his newsagents.

Muhammad Shahbaz, 27, of Railton Road, SE24, was convicted of two counts of sexual assault today (16 November) at Inner London Crown Court.

In July last year teachers at the 13-year-old’s school contacted police after she told them she had been sexually assaulted by a local newsagent called Sam.

Police said Shahbaz, also known as Sam, had groomed the girl over a period of time before sexually assaulting her.

The victim, who has learning difficulties, recalled that on one occasion Shahbaz took her into the basement of his shop SRI Newsagents, in Norwood Road SE27, and sexually assaulted her. Another time he sexually assaulted her while she was in the shop.

He was arrested and later charged with both offences.

Sentencing will take place on 7 December.

Michael Williams, 41, of Thurlow Hill SE2, was found not guilty of raping the same girl.