Update: Merseyside Police have asked The Echo to clarify that defendant in this case was a customer of the newsagents when this incident occurred and not a member of staff. We are happy to make this clear.
A man sexually assaulted a ten year old girl in a Liverpool newsagents.
Abdul Gani was found guilty of assault by touching by magistrates earlier this year after approaching a girl in Jim’s News on Fountains Road in Kirkdale earlier this year. Gani appeared at Sefton Magistrates’ Court this morning for sentencing - but his case was unable to proceed.
Magistrates had previously ordered a pre-sentence report for Gani but a probation officer in court this morning explained staff illness meant it was unable to take place before the hearing.
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District Judge James Clarke ordered a new report for the 32 year old but sent his case to Liverpool Crown Court, ruling it was too serious to be dealt with in the magistrates’ courts. He said he would also ask probation to consider whether Gani could be classified as a dangerous offender.
Gani, who spoke to the court via an interpreter, was unrepresented today and when District Judge Clarke suggested he secure legal representation Gani said repeatedly he wanted to leave the UK to return to his home country.
Gani, of HMP Altcourse, was remanded in custody until his sentencing hearing next month.
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