Jail for man who supplied drugs to teenagers and sexually assaulted them

A drug dealer who supplied drugs to teenage girls and sexually assaulted them, has been jailed for nine years.

In March last year reports were made to officers of separate incidents where girls were given drugs such as nitrous oxide, ketamine, and cocaine by Azam Khan.

The girls were taken to hotels and houses in the Chorley area and Darwen, where they were sexually abused.

Lancashire Police launched an investigation and teamed-up with Lancashire County Council’s social workers to support the victims.

The victims were interviewed by specially-trained officers and evidence was gathered which showed Khan – nicknamed ‘Kaizer’ - and Jack Anderson-Rigby were involved together in a significant drug-dealing operation.

They advertised on Snapchat and social media, selling drugs in Lancashire.

Khan and Anderson-Rigby were arrested and charged.

In December, Khan, 29, formerly of Seacole Close, Blackburn, was found guilty by a jury at Preston Crown Court after a seven-day trial of sexual activity with a child, four offences of sexual assault and one offence of attempting to engage a person in sexual activity without consent.

Khan was also convicted of being concerned in the supply of Class A, B and C controlled drugs.

At a sentencing hearing today (18th January), Judge Simon Medland KC, jailed Khan for nine years and placed him on the sex offenders’ register for life.

Anderson-Rigby, 22, of Chorley Lane, Charnock Richard, pleaded guilty to possession of controlled drugs with intent to supply and one charge of sexual assault on a child.

He was given a two-year prison sentence, suspended for two years.

Det Sgt Simon Massey of Lancashire Police’s South Exploitation Team said: “These were very serious offences committed by Khan.

“Khan has shown himself to be a sexual predator, taking advantage of teenage girls by offering them drugs and sexually assaulting them.

“The victims showed great courage in difficult circumstances – against a background of threats and intimidation – to attend court and give their evidence at the trial.

“Lancashire Police take sexual offences extremely seriously and we do everything in our power to put offenders before the courts and bring them to justice.”