‘Mughal abused his position of authority to sexually assault a woman who had asked him for help’Jailed: Shazad Mughal(Image: GMP)

A security guard who sexually assaulted and raped a woman in a hut outside Emirates Old Trafford has been jailed.

Shazad Mughal, 47, was based at Old Trafford Cricket Club in Stretford.

It happened inside a security hut outside the stadium at gone midnight after the woman had asked Mughal for directions into Manchester city centre.

Police said he allowed her to use a toilet inside the hut where he was based, then attacked her.

The woman had earlier got off a Metrolink tram at Old Trafford which had terminated earlier than expected, Greater Manchester Police said.

Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group HERE

In a statement on Sunday, GMP said: “On Wednesday 10 August 2022, officers received a 999 call from the victim at 12.45am, who said she had been sexually assaulted.

“The victim asked Mughal, who was working as a security guard, for directions to Manchester city centre after their tram had terminated earlier than expected.

“Mughal had allowed for the victim to use the toilet before sexually assaulting her in his security booth. The victim managed to flee the scene and call the police, remaining hidden until an officer could locate them.”

Emirates Old Trafford(Image: PA)

Mughal, of Tansley Road, Crumpsall, was found guilty by a jury after a trial of one count of rape and one count of sexual assault by penetration, police said.

He was jailed by a judge on Friday for seven-and-a-half years.

Detective Constable Luke Miller, of GMP’s Serious Crime Division, said: “I would like to thank the victim for reporting this terrible incident to the police and allowing us to conduct a thorough investigation.

“Mughal abused his position of authority to sexually assault a woman who had asked him for help. Mughal claimed that the victim was advancing onto them whilst in the security booth and that he did not want to have any sexual activity with the victim, which was completely untrue.

“I commend the victim in this case for supporting our investigation, which has resulted in today’s sentence and sees justice served against Mughal, who will now spend a significant amount of time behind bars.

“Our officers will provide support, conduct thorough investigations, and take firm action against offenders. Your allegations will be taken seriously, and you will be treated with dignity and respect.”