A SHOPKEEPER who groomed a teenage girl with vodka and vapes before sexually assaulting her has been jailed.
Daniel Hashmi was sentenced to 10 years for three counts of sexual assault, two counts of attempted rape and assault by penetration following a trial.
Hashmi, 44, was arrested in December 2024 after the sister of a friend reported her suspicions to the police.
The offences, Minshull Street Crown Court heard, were against the same victim.
It was established the offences had taken place in Hashmi’s business premises on Wellington Road South, Stockport, between November and December last year.
Hashimi had bought vodka and vapes for the victim, on one occasion blocking the door in a back room to the shop with a sofa to prevent her leaving before sexually assaulting her.
Following the conviction was also made the subject of a lifelong sexual harm protection order and hit with a restraining order.
Hashmi, of Audley Road, Levenshulme, Manchester, was ordered to sign the sex offender register for life.
The victim made the following statement in court: “I thought I could trust him.
“He is an adult and they are meant to be protectors, but after this I will never trust anyone again.
“This has affected me more than anyone will ever know – I feel betrayed and completely let down.
“He has taken away the most important things that I will never get back – I feel used and that’s the worst thing.”
How to report a sexual assault
- Contact a doctor or practice nurse at your GP surgery.
- Contact a voluntary organisation, such as Rape Crisis, Women’s Aid, Victim Support, The Survivors Trust or Male Survivors Partnership.
- Call the 24-hour freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline, run by Refuge, on 0808 2000 247.
- Speak to the rape and sexual abuse support line run by Rape Crisis England and Wales – you can call the helpline on 0808 500 2222 or use the online chat (both are free and are open 24 hours a day, every day of the year).
Detective Constable Ben Swapp, of Stockport’s Complex Safeguarding Team, said: “The girl and her family have shown enormous courage, and we will continue to support them.
“Aspire social workers and Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs) are working with the victim to help in rebuilding her life.
“GMP’s Stockport Complex Safeguarding Team is a multi-agency team focused on protecting vulnerable children and young people from exploitation and harm.
“This team, which includes police officers, social workers, and other professionals, works to identify, assess, and respond to safeguarding concerns, particularly those related to child exploitation.
“We are absolutely committed to removing offenders like Hashimi from the streets, as the danger he poses to society, and particularly to children, is significant.
“Hopefully today’s sentence and our investigation will give victims the confidence to report these types of crimes and trust us to investigate them thoroughly to bring the perpetrators to justice.”
Daniel Hashmi was sentenced to 10 years in prison[/caption]
Steps to Keep Your Child Safe From Grooming
By Emma Kenny, true crime psychologist and parenting expert
- Encourage your child to share their day-to-day experiences. Ask who they talked to on the way home, what happened at the bus stop, and if anything made them feel uncomfortable. The more openly you talk, the more confident they’ll be to speak up if something feels off.
- If possible, arrange for your child to walk or travel with friends. Identify safe spaces along the route, trusted neighbours or shops where they can go if they feel threatened.
- Groomers often switch to online contact once they’ve made initial in-person connections. Monitor your child’s digital devices in a respectful but proactive way. Agree on ground rules for social media use, and encourage them to show you anything that makes them feel uneasy.
- If your parental alarm bells are going off, do not dismiss those feelings. Challenge unusual behaviour or new relationships gently but firmly. Seek professional advice if you suspect your child is at risk.
- If you have any evidence or strong suspicions that someone is grooming your child, contact the police immediately. Support and guidance from organisations like the NSPCC or Barnardo’s can also be invaluable in helping you navigate this distressing situation.
