Convicted Murderer jailed for Historic Sex Abuse on Child

Shahid Walayat, aged 48, of Dewsbury, has been jailed for six years for historic sex abuse.

He had previously been jailed for murder.

Leeds Crown Court heard that the abuse began in the 1980s when the victim was a girl at primary school.

Walayat, who was a teenager at the time, abused the girl by touching her inappropriately at a property in West Yorkshire.

The abuse continued, however, the victim did not see her abuser again after he was convicted for the murder of Julia Baines in 1993 where he was sentenced to life in prison.

Julia Baines, who was 18 at the time, was sexually attacked before being assaulted and strangled to death.

The horrific attack came after she disappeared on a five-mile walk home from a night out.

Her semi-naked body was found on wasteland four miles from her home in Crofton, Wakefield.

She had suffered a number of horrific injuries, including broken ribs and a dislocated jaw.

It was believed that her skirt was forcibly removed before being used to strangle her.

The murder of Julia Baines was even covered in an episode of BBC’s Crimewatch.

Walayat was released from prison in 2018.

The victim reported the sex abuse to West Yorkshire Police in 2018.

Following a trial, Walayat was found guilty of four counts of indecent assault and one count of indecency with a child.

On December 8, 2021, he was sentenced to six years in prison for the historic sex offences.

Shahid Walayat also received an indefinite restraining order against the victim.

Detective Sue Marshall, of West Yorkshire Police, said:

“Walayat is a dangerous sexual predator and assaulted his victim when she was a defenceless child.

“The victim was very courageous to come forward and report what he had done, to seek justice for what he had done to her and we are pleased to see he will now face the consequences of his actions, a crime he thought he would be able to get away with.

“We hope this sentence brings our victim closure.

“We are here and ready to listen to anyone who would like to report offences of this nature.”

“We will support you every step of the way and ensure that we investigate thoroughly and leave no stone unturned to bring the perpetrator to justice.”