Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Blackburn Community Leader Sentenced for Sexual Assault...

A Blackburn man who was awarded an MBE for his services to the community has today been sentenced to four years in prison after being found guilty of sexual assault on a 25-year-old-woman.

Janaid Qureshi, aged 61 of Queens Street was arrested in October 2008 and later charged with six counts of sexual assault.

He was found guilty following a week long trial at Bolton Crown Court in February and will now be on the sex offenders register for life.

Qureshi is a high profile man within the Blackburn community and at the time of his offences he worked as the chief executive of EMDA, the Ethnic Minority Development Agency within Blackburn - an organisation whose role it is to support and assist foreign nationals who move into the UK.

Detective Inspector Jill Johnston said: "This is a significant sentence which reflects the seriousness of this offence and the vulnerability of his victim. It should send out a strong message to people who conduct themselves in this way that their behaviour will not go unpunished.

"Qureshi lied throughout the trial.

His victim showed tremendous courage in coming forward and I hope she is now able to put this ordeal behind her."

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