"He then asked her if she wanted to meet him later and she said no."
Shahid Razzaq, aged 42, of Rochdale, was jailed for two years and three months at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court after offered a group of schoolgirls money for sex.
He stalked the girls, aged between 12 and 15 around a park with £600 in cash in his pocket.
The married father-of-two offered one girl up to £70 to have intercourse with him. The girl tried to run away but Razzaq offered her increasing amounts of money to perform a sex act on him.
Razzaq was confronted by members of the public and was detained until police arrived at Broadfield Park, Rochdale.
It was heard that he targeted another girl, aged 16, near the town’s Touchstones Museum.
The incidents took place between 9:30 pm and 10:30 pm on August 8, 2018.
Prosecutor Peter Cadwallader said: “The first victim was outside a museum and was due to meet a friend shortly afterwards.
“It was dark at the time, she was about to walk under a subway to the car park when the defendant appeared in front of her and asked if she had a lighter.
“She searched for one in her bag and she found one but it was broken, and didn’t take it any further. He then offered her a cigarette and she said no.
“He then asked where she was going and she told him, but he was being persistent. He then asked her if she wanted to meet him later and she said no.
“She then tried to walk past him but was prevented from doing so as he was standing in front of her blocking her way. He was standing less than one metre away in front of her.”
Mr Cadwallader then explained that the girl became scared at this point and Razzaq said to her:
“You have really nice t*** and a***.”
Razzaq attempted to touch her breast but the victim moved back to avoid contact. She then shouted for help before running away.
She then saw him walking off in the opposite direction following the ordeal which lasted around four minutes.
Razzaq’s second victim was with friends at the park. They walked along the path when he appeared from some bushes.
He had been watching them as they walked past and he then followed them.
Mr Cadwallader said: “Two of the children ran off, leaving the victim and her friend alone. The defendant began to speak to the victim and her friend. The victim told him in many uncertain words to ‘go away’.
Razzaq continued trying to speak to them several times. He offered the victim £10 and £20 to perform a sex act on him.
She refused and at that point, the girl’s friend ran off, leaving the victim alone. Razzaq then increased the amount up to £70 for sex with him.
“In his pre-sentence report, the defendant maintains it was a joke, but it is the Crown’s case he was attempting to pressure her to have penetrative sex.
“If she had agreed, he would have done so. At this point, three men appeared, the defendant was detained at the scene and the police were called.”
In an impact statement, the first victim said:
“The incident left me feeling scared and I feel really unsafe. I suffer from panic attacks and this incident led me to having the worst panic attack yet.
“My friends tried to calm me down when they met me later, and I threw up straight after the incident.”
“I feel I can’t go outside on my own anymore and I feel like I have got to have someone with me or have someone drop me off and pick me up.
“If a stranger came up to me again I would really be scared and I wouldn’t feel safe.
The second victim said: “During the time of the incident, all I could think about was that I left the house that day after having an argument with my mum, and what might have happened.
“You don’t think this sort of thing is going to happen to you. It’s scary. You just hear about these sorts of things on the news.
“At the time I didn’t understand or realise how dangerous the situation was or what could have happened. I am struggling to deal with what’s gone on. I won’t be going back to Rochdale, especially at this time of the night.”
Razzaq had claimed he was in the area to withdraw £600 and denied targeting the girls because of their age.
His lawyer Colin Buckle said Razzaq was remorseful for his actions after he admitted attempting to incite a girl to engage in sexual activity.
Mr Buckle described his client as a “family man” who has been married for 11 years. He explained that Razzaq also has a degree in Quantity Surveying.
Judge Tina Landale said: “The first victim showed tremendous courage by shouting out in a panic and managing to run away has to be commended for her bravery.
“This had a significant impact on her and she vomited in fear afterwards.
“The second girl was left very frightened and she has struggled to process what has happened to her.”
“I am sure, in the circumstances, you were trying your best to persuade that young girl to have sexual intercourse with you as you had £600 on your possession.
“I find the level of denial in your pre-sentence report seriously concerning as you had not taken responsibility for your actions.”
As Shahid Razzaq was jailed for 27 months, the families’ of the victims clapped from the public gallery.
He was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years and also made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
Detective Constable David Read said: “Razzaq exhibited a dangerous pattern of offending, which escalated from inappropriate and lewd advances towards a lone, young woman, to attempts at engaging in sexual activity with minors.
“I have little doubt that he set out that evening in the hope of finding a victim.
“His behaviour was disgraceful – the actions of an arrogant man who showed utter contempt for the girls he approached, who were simply minding their own business.”