Abdul Jhangir Rashid, of Brewerton Road, Oldham, was given an indeterminate sentence at Minshull Street Crown Court yesterday after pleading guilty to abduction with the intent to commit a sexual offence.
Rashid (34) will serve a minimum of 342 days in prison before he can apply for parole, in addition to 205 days he has already served. He was placed on the sex offenders’ register for life.
The prosecution was part of Operation Messenger, set up to protect children at risk from abuse and sexual exploitation.
The court was told how police spotted Rashid’s Mazda car parked close to Dovestone Reservoir in Greenfield with the headlights turned off, on October 14, last year.
Officers found a 14-year-old girl in the car with Rashid, who was arrested on suspicion of abduction.
Detective Sergeant Jason Byrne, from GMP’s Messenger team, said: “The difficulty we have in cases like this is that the children who are targeted may go with the offenders willingly, not recognising the potential risk to their safety.
“It is an offence for an adult to take a child without consent from a parent or guardian and we will pursue a prosecution against anyone who does this.
“I hope this prosecution will act as a warning to any men who think it is acceptable to take children like this. It will not be tolerated and we will take all possible action to make sure the people responsible are brought to justice.”
The head of Oldham Police, Chief Supt Caroline Ball, said: “This result highlights the excellent work that is being done in Oldham as part of Operation Messenger.
“Today we have seen a dangerous person taken off the streets.”
Messenger is a partnership between Greater Manchester Police, Oldham Council, the charity Barnardo’s and Oldham Primary Care Trust.
Anyone with any concerns about children being exploited in their area should contact their local police station on 0161-872 5050.
Alternatively, call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
