A man who incited a young child to engage in sexual activity has been jailed for 10 months.

Mohammed Shabir, 49, of Ilford, was caught on CCTV engaging in sexual activity with the nine-year-old boy on a pavement near a parked vehicle in Ilford on March 25.

He pleaded guilty in June to the charge of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and was sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court today, Friday, July 14.

Police began an investigation after footage of the incident was viewed by an officer investigating a different case.

Shabir was identified and was charged with the offence on June 14.

After the court case, Det Insp Laura Hillier, of the Met’s Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Command, said: “Mohammed Shabir is a very dangerous offender. He targeted this young child and persuaded him to perform a sexual act on him in a public place during daylight hours. This is an unusual case where police were presented with video evidence of a sexual crime against a child whilst reviewing private CCTV for another case.

“Detectives actively searched and located the young child victim in this case who bravely recounted what had happened to him. He and his family are being supported by professionals.”

Det Con Kiran Bratch, of the Met’s Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Command, said: “The Metropolitan Police are committed to investigating any such offences committed against children and will strive to bring any offenders to justice.”