The overnight flight from Mumbai to London Heathrow became a scene of quiet terror for a young girl. Just after midnight, she found herself targeted by a man seated beside her, a stranger who would claim a devastating misunderstanding.
Cabin manager Rebecca Rooney discovered the girl visibly distressed, huddled in on herself, knees drawn tightly to her chest. When asked what had happened, the girl recounted a horrifying violation: the man had reached up inside her jumper and touched her breast.
Rooney immediately moved the man to a different seat at the back of the plane, initiating a chain of events that would ultimately lead to a courtroom. Flight attendant Michelle Adams was assigned to handle the situation, confronting the accused.
Javed Inamdar, a 34-year-old shipping boss, offered a shocking defense. He claimed he had mistaken the girl for his wife, and that he had simply fallen asleep while cuddling her. He insisted any contact was unintentional, a result of being asleep.
His story grew more fragmented during police questioning. Inamdar questioned his own memory, wondering if he could even specifically recall his hand movements. He conceded it was *possible* he had touched her, but vehemently denied any intentional act.
Evidence presented to the court revealed a disturbing pattern of behavior. Before the assault, Inamdar had repeatedly stroked the girl’s hand, a calculated attempt to gauge her reaction and “test the waters.”
Despite his denial, a jury found Inamdar guilty of assaulting a girl under 13. He appeared at Isleworth Crown Court, visibly distraught and relying on a Hindi interpreter, as the weight of his actions descended upon him.
The defense argued that Inamdar’s life had already been severely disrupted by the bail conditions imposed upon him. He was unable to return to India to see his wife and children, his employers having provided housing to support him during the legal proceedings.
Judge Simon Davis delivered a 21-month prison sentence, acknowledging the profound trauma inflicted upon the young victim. He condemned Inamdar’s actions, stating he had deliberately sought an opportunity to assault her and then fabricated a defense.
The judge did acknowledge the hardship Inamdar faced being separated from his family, reducing the sentence slightly. However, he emphasized the court’s commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals, particularly children.
As he was led away, Inamdar’s desperate plea echoed through the courtroom: “I need to call my wife to let her know what is happening.” A final, heartbreaking testament to the far-reaching consequences of his actions.
