A FORMER taxi firm boss who molested a 16-year-old girl, has started a three month jail term.

Father of six Mohammed Choudhrey, 40, fondled his victim, told her he wanted to have sex with her and wanted to take her to Pakistan, Burnley Crown Court heard.

Choudhrey, of Devonshire Road, Burnley, had been convicted of indecent assault in his absence, by Burnley magistrates, and appeared against conviction - meaning the girl had to give evidence in court twice.

Judge Raymond Bennett, sitting with a magistrate, upheld the justices' decision and told the appellant he had shown no sorrow for what he had done.

He said Choudhrey, then running Tiger Cabs in Burnley, was much older than the complainant. The judge went on: "Men must understand they are not entitled to take advantage of young girls. If they do so, there has to be a significant punishment."

Choudhrey, who had no previous convictions, had also been convicted of two allegations of failing to surrender to bail. The girl told the court the offence took place in June 1997. Choudhrey, who had been drunk, started to touch her and call her sweetheart. He kissed her and then put his hands down the front of her clothing.

The victim, now 18, said she kept telling the appellant to stop and leave her alone, but Choudhrey said he wanted to have sex with her and take her to Pakistan.

She went on: "I tried to grab him off me and I managed, but he still would not leave me alone."

Paul Hague, for Choudhrey, said the offence was at the lower end of the indecency scale and was 'vulgar horseplay' by a man affected by drink. It was not furtive, deliberate, or premeditated behaviour, but rough and tumble.

Choudhrey had lost his taxi badge on conviction and now could not work in the taxi business - heavy punishment for a 'night of folly.' Involvement in the court proceedings was very worrying for him.

Mr Hague added that work was available to the appellant as a pizza delivery man and the court could deal with him in a non-custodial way.

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