A MAN who sexually assaulted a vulnerable homeless child he found walking in Bradford’s City Park at midnight has been jailed for ten months.

Vahid Ghaedi took the teenage schoolgirl back to his flat and then had a shave to make himself look more presentable before touching her indecently and kissing her.

Ghaedi, 35, of Sawrey Place, Little Horton, Bradford, was convicted after a trial of two counts of sexually assaulting the child.

Sentencing him, Judge Ahmed Nadim told him he had exploited his homeless and vulnerable victim and tried to persuade her to engage in sexual activity for financial reward.

Bradford Crown Court heard that Ghaedi came across the girl, who was a ‘looked after child,’ in the middle of Bradford in the summer several years ago. He had engaged her in conversation and realised very quickly that she was homeless and vulnerable.

He offered her food and as they made their way to a takeaway, he was confronted by a man who may have known her who was abusive and critical of his intentions.

He said she was a child and Ghaedi was much older than her. She herself underlined that she was only 14 years old.

The man continued to challenge him and to avoid any further confrontation Ghaedi ordered a taxi and persuaded the girl to accompany him to his flat.

He made himself more presentable by going to the bathroom and having a shave to appear more attractive.

Ghaedi wanted to know if the girl had a boyfriend and said he was looking for someone like her. He touched her thigh, kissed her and licked her face.

Then he tried to persuade her to meet him again for money.

Rebecca Young said in mitigation that Ghaedi, who was assisted by a Farsi interpreter, was isolated socially and had suffered serious mental health problems.

He hadn’t gone out on a premeditated mission to seek a vulnerable child. He was in the city centre because it was his regular route home after work.

Ghaedi had misread the situation very badly and freely admitted to the police that he had offered the girl money without realising how wrong it was.

Judge Nadim said he had been convicted by the jury in the face of compelling evidence.

A Sexual Harm Prevention Order was made for ten years and Ghaedi must sign on the sex offender register for ten years.