Paedo ex-teacher abused girl, 14, after ‘marrying’ her over the phone

A former teacher who sexually abused a 14-year-old girl after convincing her to ‘marry’ him in an over-the-phone ceremony has been jailed.

Mazhar Hussain, 38, groomed the girl with birthday gifts, including a phone and jewellery, between April and May 2018.

He referred to the child as his ‘wife’ following the sham ceremony, which she believed to have been legitimate until speaking to a family friend who advised her to go to the police.

Following his arrest, detectives found more than 2,000 messages between them on his phone, many of which were explicit and showed he had met with the girl and sexual activity had taken place.

Hussain, of Stechford, Birmingham, was jailed for three years and three months after admitting four counts of sexual activity with a child under 16 at Birmingham Crown Court.

He was also put on the sex offenders register and given a sexual harm prevention order for life.

Detective Constable Dave Cooper said after the case: ‘We must commend this girl for having the courage to tell us about what was happening to her.

‘We were able to support her with specially trained officers as the case progressed and her evidence proved crucial in ensuring Hussain has now been jailed.

‘We also hope that this sentencing will encourage other youngsters who may be being groomed to be brave enough to come forward and let us help and support them too.’

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