A MECHANIC who hit a schoolgirl several times, has been spared immediate jail.
Asif Iqbal, 32, had earlier been cleared by a jury of repeatedly raping and sexually assaulting the schoolgirl, but had been convicted of a violence-related offence.
Iqbal, of Smith Street, Nelson, had been found not guilty of five charges of rape and seven allegations of sexual activity with a child, after a four day trial at Burnley Crown Court. Iqbal was found guilty of one offence relating to violence.
Iqbal was given 12 months in prison, suspended for two years.
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