A shopkeeper convicted of sex offences against teenagers, one of them aged 15, owns a former schoolhouse overlooking a Dundee secondary school.
Muhammed Shahbaz (37), of Craig Road, Tayport, has had planning permission granted to refurbish Craigie High Schoolhouse in Garnet Terrace.
A court source said Shahbaz had intended to move into the property, however the court proceedings had prevented the move and the house is rented out to family members.
Shahbaz was unanimously found guilty at Dundee Sheriff Court on Friday after trial of eight charges of sexually assaulting girls between the age of 15 and 17 and supplying alcohol to young girls.
Planning permission to convert the single-storey former janitor’s house into a two-storey property was granted by Dundee City Council in December.
A council spokesman said, “The property is not on the school grounds and has not been owned by Dundee City Council for the last seven years.”
The shop worker has been placed on the sex offenders register after being convicted of indecently abusing young girls who went to his shop to buy drink illegally.
The jury of nine women and six men found him guilty of indecently assaulting a teenage girl at Premier Food and Wines, Baluniefield Road, between February 1 and April 30, 2009, placing his arms round her, cuddling her, fondling her buttocks, attempting to kiss her on the mouth, kissing her on the cheek, lifting up her jumper, attempting to push a bottle up her jumper, pulling out her jeans, attempting to place a bottle down her jeans and fondling her breasts.
He was also found guilty by a majority of seven other charges.
Shahbaz was convicted of:Assaulting the girl again between August 3 and August 8, placing his arms around her, cuddling her, attempting to kiss her on the face and commenting on her breasts. Assaulting a second girl on November 3, 2009, instructing her to open her coat, unfastening her coat, attempting to insert a bottle inside her coat, fondling her breasts, placing his arms around her and cuddling her; and selling her alcohol, though she was 17. Using lewd, indecent and libidinous practices towards a 15-year-old girl on November 6, 2009, by trying to touch her buttocks; and selling her alcohol. Behaving in a similar fashion towards a second 15-year-old on November 6, 2009, repeatedly lifting up her dress, attempting to kiss her on the mouth, kissing her on the cheek, touching her hip, pulling out her pants and inserting a bottle inside them; and selling her alcohol.A further charge of indecent behaviour towards a 15-year-old girl between August 3 and August 31, 2009, was found to be not proven.
Defence advocate Jonathan Crowe said he would reserve his plea in mitigation until the case calls to be disposed of next month.
Noting that Shahbaz has no previous convictions, Sheriff Tom Hughes said he had no option but to call for a background report.
In the meantime he told Shahbaz that he would be placed on the sex offenders register, initially for five years, with the final duration to be determined according to the eventual sentence.
Sentence was deferred to April 15 and Shahbaz was granted bail in the meantime.