April 2011

A PERVERT who groomed a 12-year old girl for sex has been jailed for nine months

Surajit Das, 55, from Walmley, Sutton Coldfield, denied seven charges of sexual activity with a child and a more serious offence of inciting a child of under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

But a jury at Birmingham Crown Court found the former teaching assistant, who has a long alliance with the Bengali Association, guilty of all offences.

During sentencing at Derby Crown Court Judge Jonathan Gosling said Das’s wife, who works as a paediatrician, had stood by him throughout the allegations, and that he was not a ‘predator’.

But he said that the former shop owner was ‘grooming’ his victim.

The judge said that the inappropriate behaviour was ‘repeated over a long period of time and escalated in intensity’.

He told Das: “Obviously you were grooming this individual.” The judge ruled the jail sentence was for the most serious crime and no further punishment was handed down for the other offences which took place over a twoyear period.

He said: “On the other hand you are not a predator of young girls.

“For years you have been associated with the Bengali Association with children of all ages and both sexes.

“I read a large amount of material about you in that capacity and you have never attracted a single complaint and it’s clear you were valued in your role.”

The judge said it was a ‘terrible tragedy’ to see a man like Das in the dock. The defendant ran a market stall and then a shop in Sutton Coldfield town centre.

He also worked as a teaching assistant for a period in a Birmingham Secondary School.

Das, who communicated through a Bengali speaking interpreter, showed little emotion as he was jailed.

He was told he must serve half of his sentence in prison.

The Judge further ruled that he should register as a sex offender for ten years and he barred him from ever working with children.

Das’s wife, Dr Babi Rani Pal, who had appeared as a defence witness in the case was in court for sentencing, but declined to comment further.

Investigating officer Detective Inspector Jon Thursfield, said after sentencing: “The family of the victim were very brave in speaking out and reporting this abuse to police. I don’t underestimate how difficult these decisions are.

“It is vital that offenders of this kind of crime are not able to escape punishment and after police were informed of the abuse the victim endured, we were able to mount a thorough investigation into the allegations, which have ultimately led to this man being given a custodial sentence.

“I’d encourage any victims of abuse to come forward: we have specialist officers trained to care for victims and guide them through the investigation and court process. And of course we will honour requests for anonymity.”