18 June 2025
A man who raped a 15-year-old girl after following her on a street in Stirlingshire has been jailed for nine years.
Sadeq Nikzad, 29, targeted the girl in Falkirk town centre in October 2023.
Nikzad, an asylum seeker from Afghanistan, repeatedly requested her telephone number, uttered sexual remarks then led her into a courtyard where he raped her.
At the High Court in Livingston, Judge Morris told him it was an “extremely serious sexual offence” and said he would be deported after his sentence.
The court heard that Nikzad had entered the UK illegally two years before the attack.
Defence counsel Janice Green told the court there were language difficulties and a “cultural barrier” between Nikzad’s home country where child marriage was common.
She said: “I’m not suggesting that means that he reasonably believed (the complainer) was consenting, but that there’s a reason why he could have misunderstood.”
Harrowing attack
Passing sentence, Judge Morris said: “I appreciate that you don’t accept that you’ve done anything wrong, but the fact remains that you’ve been convicted of an extremely serious sexual offence against a child.
“I know your counsel has now explained to you that in those circumstances only a substantial custodial sentence is appropriate.”
Police Scotland’s Det Insp Forbes Wilson said it was “a particularly harrowing attack carried out during daylight in a busy town centre”.
He said: “Nikzad’s heinous actions had a profound effect on his young victim and I would like to commend her strength throughout this ordeal.”
After his jail term Nikzad will be supervised on license for three years.
A non-harassment order banning Nikzad from contacting or attempting to contact the victim was also granted indefinitely.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cm2z47v57q0o
Sadeq Nikzad was found guilty on 5 March 2025 following a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh.
The 29-year-old targeted the girl after spotting her walking down a town centre street on 16 October 2023.
After attempting to strike up a conversation with the teenager, Nikzad repeatedly requested her telephone number and uttered sexual remarks.
He then led her into a courtyard where he subjected her to a serious sexual assault.
On 18 June 2025, at the High Court in Livingston, Nikzad was given a 12-year extended sentence with nine years in custody.
His name has been added to the sex offenders register indefinitely.
A non-harassment order, banning Nikzad from contacting or attempting to contact the victim, was also granted indefinitely.
Katrina Parkes, Procurator Fiscal for High Court Sexual Offences, said:
“This was an appalling, opportunistic attack on a young girl who should have been safe going about her daily business.
“The victim should be commended for reporting Sadeq Nikzad to the police, ensuring that he has now been held accountable while also protecting others from harm.
“This type of offending will not be tolerated, and I hope this prosecution sends a clear message to men who commit serious acts of sexual violence against women and children.
“I would urge anyone who has experienced similar crime to report it. You will be listened to and supported as we use every tool available in seeking justice.”