Runcorn man jailed for sexual offences

Mohammad Alhadi, of Halton Brook Avenue, Runcorn, appeared at Chester Crown Court on Monday 2 September, where he was sentenced to eight months imprisonment and made subject of a Restraining Order and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

The sentence follows an earlier hearing where the 26-year-old pleaded guilty to Sexual Assault by Touching.

The court heard that on Tuesday 7 May, in the space of just 45 minutes, Alhadi approached three people and attempted to engage in sexual activity with them. He also inappropriately touched one of the victims who was 15.

During the first incident, which occurred at around 3pm, a 15-year-old boy was approached by Alhadi on Halton Brook Avenue, who claimed he needed help. Whilst Alhadi was talking to the boy, he made a sexual hand gesture toward him before going on to touch the victim's genitals over his trousers.

Distressed by the incident the victim fled, but he was able to take a picture of Alhadi before leaving the scene, which officers would later use to connect him to the incident.

Shortly after, Alhadi had been sitting on a bench near City Fields, Runcorn, when he conversed with a 21-year-old dog walker passing by.

During their conversation, Alhadi began making inappropriate comments to the dog walker, before asking him to engage in sex with him. Alhadi proceeded to make gestures of a sexual nature toward him, before putting his hands into his trousers and touching himself inappropriately.

Alhadi was then chased away by the victim. 

In the final incident, which occurred just after, Alhadi approached a second 15-year-old boy on Halton Brook Avenue, who was walking home from school and asked him for help. The boy asked what he needed, to which Alhadi replied with "sex" and offered him ten pounds.

The boy walked away from Alhadi, who followed him, repeatedly asking him to engage in sex, until the boy entered his parent's home nearby and informed them of the incident. 

After receiving descriptions and photographs of Alhadi from all three of the victims, Cheshire Police officers located and arrested him at his home address on Wednesday 8 May. During his arrest, officers seized the items of clothing he was seen wearing in the photograph taken by the first 15-year-old boy he approached.

During his interview with officers, Alhadi was presented with this photograph and he responded that it was not him, but rather someone dressed very similar to him. He also denied that he approached the three victims, asked them for sex, touched himself and touched the genitals of one of the 15-year-old boys.

Despite his denials, Alhadi was charged and later pleaded guilty of Sexual Assault by Touching. He then appeared at Chester Crown Court on Monday 2 September, where he was sentenced to eight months imprisonment. He was also issued with Restraining Order against the first 15-year-old boy and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which he must adhere to for ten years.

Following sentencing Police Constable Haddon Hunter, of Runcorn LPU Neighbourhood, said:

“I would like to commend the bravery of Alhadi's victims in coming forward to police and having the courage to speak out. As a result, Alhadi has been jailed and is now facing the consequences of his horrific actions.

"Not only has Alhadi been issued with a custodial sentence, but upon his release, he will be closely monitored by our officers under the conditions of both a restraining order against one of his victims and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

“I hope today's result reassures victims of incidents of this nature that any allegations will be thoroughly investigated by police and that we will always listen and do our very best to get the justice you deserve."