The mother of a young girl abused by a paedophile has condemned a Court’s decision to allow him to continue living in her Bradford neighbourhood after he was convicted of the sex attack.
Zabhullah Boota, 51, was found guilty by a Bradford Crown Court jury of sexual assault and inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity.
He was remanded on unconditional bail by Recorder Benjamin Nolan QC to await a date when he will be sentenced, leaving him free to remain at his home in Lydgate Drive, Lidget Green, in the same area as his young victim’s home.
He had committed the sex attack in the living room of his house.
The child’s mother, who cannot be named to protect her daughter’s identity, said that decision meant she and her daughter, who was aged under ten at the time of the offences, still regularly see Boota in the neighbourhood, which was having a traumatic affect on the girl.
She said: “My daughter has been devastated, she’s started having nightmares and she feels we have not been supported as a family.
“Every time she sees him she comes home and starts being sick. I’m not happy, how can this happen, how can he live so close. I won’t leave the house any more because it’s made me so scared. I see him all the time.
“My daughter is glad it’s over she just wants him away from here. I can’t believe the judge bailed him to live there. My fear is he gets away with a tap on his hand.”
Boota was first given bail by police after his arrest in 2009 and he was further granted bail allowing him to continue living at his home address when the case progressed first through Bradford Magistrates’ Court and then Bradford Crown Court.
Recorder Nolan did not add any conditions to the bail when Boota, who is partially disabled, was convicted unanimously by the jury last week.
A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “The decision to grant bail was reviewed and given careful consideration by a senior officer.
“Due to the unique nature of the case and the fact that the defendant’s home was adapted to meet his physical needs, it was deemed appropriate for him to return there.
“The victim’s family was fully informed throughout and made aware of the circumstances.”
A spokesman for the Crown Prosecution Service said: “The defendant has been on unconditional bail since August, 2009.
“Bail conditions can only be varied if there has been a significant change in circumstances, for example if there is a risk of evidence being interfered with or further offences committed.”
The mother said she had applied to her landlord, a housing association, to move her family from the area following her daughter’s ordeal.
The association’s spokesman said: “We have visited her and agreed a way forward as to how we can support her with an application for housing.
“In relation to the matter overall, we are in discussions with the police to establish the full facts and as to what further action we are able to take.”
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