27/02/2025
A mother hopes more women and girls feel empowered to speak up about sexual abuse and help police catch more predators, just like her daughter did.
The mother has spoken for the first time about sexual assault carried out on her 14-year-old daughter by former Metropolitan Police Special Constable Hassnain Shahzad. She and her daughter hope that by telling the immeasurable impact the assault has had on them; it might empower more women and girls to speak out about abuse they have experienced and bring others to justice.
For the two counts of sexual assault, Hassnain Shahzad, 27, of Ilford Lane, Ilford was sentenced at Inner London Crown Court to six months in prison for both offences to run concurrently, suspended for 18 months.
He’s been ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work. He was found guilty of sexual assault by a jury on Monday 6 January at Inner London Crown.
Shahzad will be on the sex offenders register for seven years with conditions.
The mother and daughter, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were waiting to pay for shopping at Bishopsgate Tesco on Friday 25 August 2023 at 22:48. Shahzad was queuing behind them and then passed by the victim, touching her bottom. The victim looked at him and noticed he was carrying pineapple chunks. As it was crowded the victim didn’t then realise Shahzad’s actions had been intentional.
The mother and daughter left the store in the direction of their hotel. Shahzad was caught on CCTV approaching the victim on the pavement from behind and touching her. The footage shows that Shahzad was clearly able to avoid the victim, but made a beeline for her. The victim alerted her mother about what had happened on the street and in Tesco.
The mother said, “She was distraught and just wanted to go back home rather than the hotel. At this stage two young women approached us to see what had happened. They implored us to go back to the store and see how they could help us. I never got their names but I’m extremely grateful to them for taking the time to talk to us and suggesting we went back to Tesco and see the CCTV.”
The mother was full of praise for her daughter mentioning the assault and never backing down during the difficult process. She said,
“At no point did she say ‘I don’t want to do this’, or withdraw from the prosecution. It was a stressful time for her as she had her exams which she completed and never asked for extra help. She doesn’t see it as brave, but I am in admiration of my child.
“Even now, months later, my daughter remains a beacon of kindness and understanding towards others, despite the fear that shadows her every step. It’s heartbreaking to watch. I’ve seen the way her body tenses, the subtle shift in her expression when she sees men approaching or staring at her. There’s a fear in her eyes that no child should have to experience.
“Despite this, she continues to show compassion to everyone around her, trying to push through the overwhelming anxiety that clutches at her heart. It’s a daily struggle that no one should have to endure, and yet she faces it with such quiet strength. But I can’t help but feel the weight of what she’s going through and how much more we need to do to protect her, to help her feel safe again.
“That day would mark the tragic end of her innocence, snatching away her right to view the world through the innocent eyes of a child. Before the assault, she was a carefree spirit, always bubbling with laughter and playful. She radiated a kind of unfettered happiness that was contagious, relishing the company of her family without a care in the world. We’ll never know now what her life would have been like without Shahzad’s actions. I find myself seeking her permission for even the simplest gestures of affection, like a hug. The days of spontaneous affection are gone, replaced by a painful necessity to ask, a stark reminder of the trust that was shattered.”
The mother believes the worst ordeal following that fateful night was the trial. She continues,
“It was an act of cruelty that despite the clear CCTV footage and bank records confirming Shahzad had bought pineapple chunks he still pleaded not guilty. He has shown no moral compass or remorse. He’s only sorry he was caught. He was clearly aware of the age of his victim and putting her through the court process that most adults find hard to deal with. We had to listen to his defence suggest that it was a touch you might experience on a busy train. This was not a busy train, this was a wide pavement and he had followed us to continue his attack.”
The mother is speaking about their family’s ordeal to hopefully help others come forward and have a voice. She added,
“My daughter and I hope that by going into detail about the pain and suffering this has caused us, it will empower more children and women to come forward and shout loudly about the abuse they have endured. Protecting children and women from harm is not an awareness day or week, it is an everyday challenge that all in society need to face up to. There needs to be more accountability for men who denigrate women and our schools need to be regularly talking about the dangers children and women face on the streets. We’re not speaking for ourselves, but for others who can’t speak out due to the trauma they have endured, or because they have disabilities. Anyone who has been a victim of a sexual assault deserves to be believed, support and given a voice.”
The City of London Police quickly picked up the case and reviewed CCTV footage and obtained bank card details of the man buying pineapple. The bank responded with the details and Shahzad was identified. He was arrested at home on 27 September 2023 and a number of items were seized, including clothing identical to that shown on CCTV.
Police officer seized Shahzad’s phone and found video footage taken two days after the sexual assault which showed him filming women on the street without their permission.
Detective Constable Sarah Elsom, of the City of London Police, said:
“Supporting the victim and her family has been at the forefront of our minds since we started investigating the case. Her courage throughout the two-year process has been inspirational.
“This was a deplorable crime carried out by someone who held a position of trust as a Metropolitan Police Special Constable. He had ample opportunity once presented with the clear evidence to admit to his crimes, but he decided to put his victim through court proceedings. Hassnain Shahzad is a convicted sex offender and thanks to the bravery of his victim, he has been brought to justice.
It’s clear from the evidence taken from his phone this was not a one-off incident, Shahzad displayed predatory behaviour only two days after committing this heinous sexual assault.
“We’d urge sexual assault victims to come forward. You will be believed and listened to by a dedicated officer who will support you through the criminal justice system.”
The mother went on to praise Detective Constable Elsom and her team. She said:
“I reported the crime online the following morning and within 20 minutes someone from the City of London Police called me which I thought was very quick. At no stage did I doubt their intentions to support my daughter and fully investigate the case. I think it was divine intervention that Sarah was assigned to our case. The dedication of Sarah and her team to pursue Shahzad was remarkable. They did not stop until he was found, arrested and brought to justice.”