The assault had also been witnessed by other boys
A shop owner and shopkeeper who targeted a young boy and sexually assaulted him several times have been jailed.
Snaresbrook Crown Court heard that they carried out the assaults inside their Tower Hamlets shop.
Former shop owner Hannan Ullah and shopkeeper Mohammed Shahabir Alom from Ferus Superstore in Westferry befriended the young boy, who spent time in the shop.
They went on to sexually assault him on four separate occasions over a three-week period.
The offences happened between January 15 and February 2, 2018.
All four of the sexual assaults happened inside the shop, sometimes in a storage room.
The shop has since been closed down.
Following the fourth offence, the boy told his mother what had happened to him and this was reported to police.
The assault had also been witnessed by other boys who were inside the shop.
On March 8, 2018, officers attended the shop and arrested Ullah, who was later bailed.
Alom was interviewed under caution on March 20, 2018.
Both men were charged in May 2019.
Ullah was charged with one count of sexual activity with a child.
Alom was charged with three counts of sexual touching of a boy under 13.
Following a four-day trial in November 2021, both men were convicted.
Detectives worked tirelessly behind the scenes to protect and safeguard the victim.
Detective Constable Fatima Ahmad, the investigating officer from Central East Basic Command Unit, said:
“These two men preyed on an innocent young boy to fulfil their sexual gratification.
“I would like to praise the bravery of the victim who came forward and gave evidence which has resulted in putting them behind bars.”
Ullah, aged 57, of Barking, was jailed for two years and four months, of which 14 months will be served on licence.
Alom, aged 62, of Tower Hamlets, was also sentenced to two years and four months in prison, of which 14 months will be served on licence.
Both men received an indefinite restraining order, banning them from contacting the victim directly or indirectly.
In a previous case, the owner of one a popular Derby kebab shop was convicted of sexual assault.
Waheed Hussain assaulted the victim in an upstairs room at his business.
On May 4, 2017, the victim, aged in her 20s, went to Sarry’s and asked to use the toilet.
Hussain told her she was welcome to use it and pointed her in the direction of the one he had upstairs at the Cheapside kebab shop.
However, he then followed her and sexually assaulted her.
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