Paedophile walks free from court after schizophrenia diagnosis

Southampton Crown Court heard how Serbas Mohammed, 31, abused two young girls in 2022 when they were aged just 15 and ten.

During a single incident, Mohammed kissed one girl on the cheek and neck, moving closer to her every time she edged away from him.

Then he began massaging the thigh of his other victim, asking her to give him a massage.

He was brought to court when one of the two girls reported the incident to a friend and later the school that she attends.

In a statement read out in court, one of the victims said: “This incident has had a big impact on me. I felt a lot of anger.

“I have also been unable to go to school properly. I have been struggling with my mental health. Struggling to sleep.”

Mohammed continues to deny the offence until this day but in June, he was convicted by a jury of two counts of sexual activity with a child.

Following concerns being raised during the proceedings, a psychiatric report was carried out on him, leading him to be sectioned and diagnosed with schizophrenia.

He now requires injections to control his condition.

His barrister, Thomas Evans told the sentencing judge that this would not be monitored properly in prison.

Mohammed, of Market Place, Newport, Isle of Wight, was sentenced to 15 months suspended for two years on Friday.

Southampton Crown Court

He must complete up to 40 rehabilitation days and is subject to a mental health treatment requirement for 12 months.

The court also ordered that he register as a sex offender and made him subject to a sexual harm prevention order and a restraining order for the next ten years.

Judge Brian Forster KC said: “What took place has had a considerable impact. I have no doubt that the case crosses the custody threshold.

“The reality of the case is that you suffer from Schizophrenia. That is a challenging mental health condition.

“You have served earlier this year a period in hospital. You have been compliant with the treatment programme.

“If you are sent to prison today that will be a major step back in your rehabilitation which will affect not only you but also the public.”

Prosecutor Ellie Fargin added that Mohammed has two previous convictions for a public order offence and making threats to kill.

But Mr Evans said: “This is one of those rare examples where an offender comes before the court and radically improves his situation as a result of the criminal proceedings that he has faced.

“When he first came to court his presentation was concerning. His presentation before and after that is like night and say in my submission.

“He has radically improved his situation. He is someone who came to this country as a youth with preexisting trauma which is going to have an impact on his mental health.”