A “vile predator” who sexually abused multiple children in his car in west London over two decades has been jailed for ten years.
Tahir Mahmood, 64, from Southall, was found guilty of multiple counts of historic child sex offences between 1984 and 2004.
He had lived freely for more than 30 years before Met Police detectives identified further victims, who gave evidence in court.
Mahmood maintained his innocence when accused of the assaults against the three victims, who were all children at the time of the offences.
In September 2018, a report was made to police, detailing how Mahmood had sexually assaulted a child, who was known to him, on multiple occasions between 1984 and 1991.
The victim, who was aged between 10 and 17 years old at the time, was subjected to numerous sexual assaults after Mahmood became a friend of his family.
Mahmood took the victim out alone in his car to secluded areas in Southall and Hounslow in order to abuse him, the court heard.
He also bought the victim food and expensive gifts during the period, and made threats to self-harm if the victim told anyone about the abuse.
Detectives later identified two further victims.
The second victim was aged between nine and 13 years old when he was sexually assaulted on multiple occasions in Southall and Hounslow.
The third victim was 16 years old when he was sexually assaulted in 2004.
Following the reports made to police, Mahmood was interviewed by officers on two separate occasions and charged on November 19, 2021.
Detective Sergeant Mitesh Mulji, who led the investigation, said: “Mahmood is a vile predator who has no place in society, he believed he had got away with his crimes, living in freedom for more than 30 years. This case demonstrates it doesn’t matter how much time has passed – we will do everything in our power to ensure predators are brought to justice.
“These three children are now adults and they have lived with this abuse for a very long time. I would like to take this opportunity to commend them for their tremendous strength and courage during this prolonged investigation and for giving evidence in court.
“I urge anyone who has been a victim of Mahmood to come forward to police. We will support you.”
Mahmood was sentenced to ten counts of indecent assault on a male, four counts of indecency with a child and one count of sexual assault.
He also received a sexual harm prevention order.
Sexual Offences Investigative Techniques Officer Claire Merrifield, from the West Area Safeguarding team, added: “No matter when a person has been a victim of crime, justice can be found, and this investigation proves just that.
“We fully understand that reporting a sexual crime can be traumatic for anyone. I would urge anyone in this position whether past or present to get in contact with the police – you will be supported by specially trained officers.”
