A Metropolitan Police Special Constable has been convicted after CCTV caught him groping a 14-year-old girl inside a Tesco supermarket before targeting her again on the street.
A court heard how Hassnain Shahzad, 27, carried out the assault at a Tesco store in central London on 25 August 2023 at 10.48pm.
The schoolgirl was shopping with her mother when Shahzad, standing behind them in the queue, touched her inappropriately. At first she believed it was accidental — until she noticed him holding a packet of pineapple chunks, a detail that later proved crucial in identifying him.
Moments later, CCTV outside the shop showed Shahzad deliberately approaching and touching the girl again on the pavement.
Victim’s Family: “He Has No Moral Compass”
The girl only revealed what had happened when she returned to her hotel with her mother.
Her mum described her daughter as “distraught” and praised two young women who encouraged them to return to Tesco and check the CCTV.
She condemned Shahzad’s actions, saying:
“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 put 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.”
Arrest and Further Evidence
Shahzad was arrested at his home on 27 September 2023. Officers seized clothing identical to that seen in the CCTV.
Just two days after the Tesco incident, further video showed him filming women on the street without their consent, exposing what police described as “predatory behaviour.”
Sentencing
At Inner London Crown Court, Shahzad was handed a six-month prison term, suspended for 18 months. He was also ordered to complete 120 hours of unpaid work and placed on the sex offenders register for seven years.
Police Statement
Detective Constable Sarah Elsom, of the City of London Police, praised the teenager’s bravery:
“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.
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. Thanks to the bravery of his victim, he has been brought to justice.”
She urged other survivors of sexual assault to come forward, adding:
“You will be believed and listened to by a dedicated officer who will support you through the criminal justice system.”
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