Man jailed for making sexual comments to child

Akhi Rara approached a young girl in Regents Street while she was walking to school

A man who made inappropriate sexual comments to a child in Swindon has been jailed.

Akhi Rara, of no fixed address, approached a 14-year-old girl in Regents Street on 12 February while she was walking to school and incited her to engage in sexual activity.

Wiltshire Police said the 24-year-old was arrested less than two hours later, when he was spotted at a bus station on CCTV. He was found to be in possession of cannabis upon his arrest.

He pleaded guilty to both offences and was sentenced to 26 weeks in prison at Swindon Magistrates' Court on Monday and he will also spend seven years on the sex offenders' register.

'Danger to children'

Police said Rara explicitly told the child that he loved her and that he had a place they could go before asking whether she wanted "to have some fun" with him.

Rara's comments put the young girl in an extremely uncomfortable position, which was noticed by a pedestrian who stepped in and removed her from the situation.

PC Holly Huntington said: "Rara is a danger to children who has been convicted of committing similar offences in the past and I am glad he will spend time behind bars.

"Thankfully, the victim in this case had the presence of mind to seek help from a nearby pedestrian who was able to safeguard her and assist with our enquiries as a key witness.

"I would like to thank the victim for her bravery in supporting our investigation as well as Swindon Borough Council's CCTV operators who were pivotal in enabling us to locate and arrest Rara so quickly."