Sex offender targeted teen on birthday night out
Tashkin Ali was found guilty of sexual assault and was jailed for six years at Bolton Crown Court
- Published
A "dangerous" man who sexually assaulted a teenager on a night out as she celebrated her 18th birthday has been jailed.
Tashkin Ali, from Blackburn, approached the victim and told her he would call her a taxi as she appeared to be unwell.
But the 28-year-old then dragged her outside the Bolton venue and into a dark car park, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said.
He was found guilty of sexual assault and was jailed for six years at Bolton Crown Court.
'Agitated and aggressive'
The teenager, now 22-years-old, had been enjoying her first visit to a club with a friend, GMP said.
Part-way through the night, she made her way into the club’s smoking area, where she started to feel unwell and was sick.
Her friend recognised she needed assistance and went get her a glass of water, at which point Ali approached the teenager.
The manager at another venue was standing outside when she saw the victim, who seemed "extremely drowsy" and that a man with her seemed to be "dragging her everywhere with him".
Police said this had "immediately rung alarm bells and one of her members of staff went out to intervene".
When confronted, Ali, became "agitated and aggressive" and said she was his girlfriend, before walking away.
The victim then realised her mobile phone had been stolen.
Ali was subsequently identified by the various witnesses in the case and was brought into custody.
The missing mobile phone was recovered in his home.
Det Sgt Helen Hitchen said: "We commend the strength and bravery of the victim in this case.
"The actions of the staff members of a neighbouring bar, getting the victim to safety despite Ali’s persistence that they were in a relationship, is also commendable.
"The judge highlighted that they were a credit to themselves and commended their brave actions."
Ali was sentenced to six years in prison and a further three years on license for sexual assault and theft.
Listen to the best of ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow ´óÏó´«Ã½ Lancashire on , and . You can also send story ideas to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk, external