Shopkeeper attempted to rape girl at his store

Daniel Hashmi blocked a backroom door with a sofa before sexually assaulting a teenager

A shopkeeper who plied a girl with vapes and vodka before blocking her in the backroom with a sofa against the door and assaulting her has been jailed

Daniel Hashmi, 44, was found guilty of two counts of attempted rape and several sexual assaults in the Stockport shop between November and December 2024.

The teenage victim told Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court she felt "betrayed and completely let down" and would "never trust anyone again".

Hashmi, of Audley Road, Manchester, was sentenced to 10 years.

The crimes occurred at a shop on Wellington Road South after Hashmi groomed his teenage victim by buying her vodka and vapes, Greater Manchester Police said.

The court heard that on one occasion, he blocked the door in a back room in the shop with a sofa to prevent her from leaving before sexually assaulting her.

'Danger to society'

In a statement read in court, the girl said: "I thought I could trust him. He is an adult and they are meant to be protectors, but after this I will never trust anyone again.

"This has affected me more than anyone will ever know - I feel betrayed and completely let down.

"He has taken away the most important things that I will never get back - I feel used and that's the worst thing."

Det Con Ben Swapp said: "The girl and her family have shown enormous courage, and we will continue to support them.

"We are absolutely committed to removing offenders like Hashmi from the streets, as the danger he poses to society, and particularly to children, is significant."

Hashmi, of Audley Road, Levenshulme, was found guilty of three counts of sexual assault on a female, two counts of attempted rape, and assault by penetration.

He will have to sign the sex offenders' register for life, as well as having a restraining order and lifelong sexual harm protection order.