Child rape victim ordered into court to see how old she looks

Sep 10 2007 by Jeanette Oldham

A MIDLAND judge has ordered a 12 year-old rape victim to appear in court, despite the fact that her attacker has already admitted the sick sex offence.

Birmingham judge Phillip Gregory wants to see how old the girl looks because the pervert who violated her in a playground claimed he believed she was a teenager.

The courtroom request means that videotape of the youngster's statement will be shown, and she may then be cross-examined by the rapist's defence team.

The young girl was subjected to a series of twisted acts before being raped while her attacker's friends watched.

Last night, the schoolgirl's family had accepted the fact that she would have to face her attacker again, if only by video link.

"They are actually resigned to facing this man in court," a source close to the family said.

"They are prepared to do whatever is necessary to ensure he goes to prison for a long time."

Judge Gregory made the request after Sajid Choudhry's defence counsel said the 26 year-old believed his victim was aged 15.

Choudhry, a Pakistani national who came to the UK for an arranged marriage that did not work out, was due to be sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court last Thursday.

At an earlier hearing, he had admitted raping the girl on April 22 at the George Road playground in Hay Mills, Birmingham.

Despite him pleading guilty to rape and other sexual offences, sentencing was adjourned until later this month because the issue of how old the attacker believed his victim to be was in dispute.

On Thursday, the court heard how the 12 year-old had been playing in the recreation area when Choudhry subjected her to a demeaning ordeal.

She had returned to the play area after an earlier visit to search for a lost bracelet.

It was of sentimental value because it had been given to her by her grandmother who had since died.

Heidi Cubic, prosecuting, said that Choudhry approached the schoolgirl and stood in front of her, blocking her way.

He began touching her intimately but she pushed him away.

Quoting from the victim's one hour, 40 minute statement to the police, the girl said: "I was scared. All I could think of was looking for my bracelet and then going home."

But over the course of the next hour and a half, Choudhry indecently assaulted the girl and forced her to perform a sex act on him.