An Afghan asylum seeker who developed an obsession with a schoolgirl has been sentenced to 40 months' imprisonment following a disturbing campaign of harassment in Stoke-on-Trent.
Sabjan Burkazi, 30, from Tunstall, appeared at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court yesterday, where he admitted stalking causing serious alarm or distress, engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child and three counts of making indecent images of children.
Officers discovered 64 indecent photographs of children on his devices following his arrest.
The defendant initially denied all charges but changed his plea to guilty shortly before his trial was scheduled to commence.
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Staffordshire Police indicated despite being theoretically subject to automatic deportation, they believe Burkazi will not be removed from the country.
The court heard how Burkazi repeatedly targeted his young victim over several months, telling her she was "sexy and pretty" and requesting her telephone number and social media details.
Prosecutor James Hudson told the court: "The defendant began to speak to her on occasions, telling her she was sexy. He made her feel uncomfortable so she changed her route to school."
On one occasion, the victim observed Burkazi fully clothed before he removed his trousers moments later.
Sabjan Burkazi cannot be deported
|Staffordshire Police
He approached her at a local park where she spent time with friends, hiding behind bushes or pretending to use his mobile phone.
The 30-year-old offered the girl cash and invited her to his home, claiming "he would be a good boy".
She provided a false telephone number, hoping he would leave her alone.
The harassment culminated last summer when Burkazi grabbed the victim from behind in an alleyway, demanding she accompany him home. A friend intervened, physically struggling with the defendant to protect her.
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The migrant was sentenced in Stoke-on-Trent
| GOOGLEIn her victim impact statement, the schoolgirl described how Burkazi's conduct had profoundly affected her daily existence.
She said: "He offered me money and said creepy things to me. This man was obsessed with me. I could not live a normal life."
The young victim explained that his behaviour left her feeling frightened and anxious, forcing her to abandon the park where she once socialised with friends.
She said: "I have stopped hanging around with my friends. I feel scared and intimidated. I no longer feel safe. I have psychologically suffered."
The girl expressed ongoing fear about potentially encountering her stalker again, having been compelled to alter her school route and withdraw from normal teenage activities due to his persistent unwanted attention.
Burkazi arrived in Britain from Afghanistan following the Taliban's seizure of power in August 2021, leaving behind a wife and two children.
His defence counsel, Rashad Mohammed, told the court his client had previously worked with Western military forces, placing his life at risk under the new regime.
Mr Mohammed said: "He found himself between a rock and a hard place. By August 2021 he was married and had two children. He made the difficult decision to leave Afghanistan because had he remained, he says, his life would have been in danger."
The defendant's initial asylum application was rejected, although he is currently awaiting the outcome of an appeal.
Judge Graeme Smith imposed a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and placed Burkazi on the Sex Offenders' Register for a decade.
The judge confirmed that whilst Burkazi is technically liable for automatic deportation upon release, police understand he will remain in Britain.
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