Former security guard at Primark Kingston convicted of rape

Zia Uddin, 27, carried out the sexual offences against four 15-year-old girls while working in the Kingston branch of the chain in 2017.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) described how Mr Uddin carried out his crimes.

A CPS spokesperson said:

"He told them given the circumstances, the police would be called, they would get criminal records, their parents would be contacted and they would be detained for a considerable amount of time – unless they carried out the sexual acts."

Mr Uddin was found guilty of rape and four counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity following a trial at Kingston Crown Court, which concluded on Friday (November 8).

The CPS said Mr Uddin was caught after a complaint was made about him and the police were called in.

His colleagues had noticed his strange behaviour, which included not filling out the correct incident report paperwork in shoplifting situations, and asking them to delete CCTV.

Mr Uddin was also known to keep condoms in the control room.

Once detained, Mr Uddin’s victims desperately offered to pay for the items they had stolen or suggested that they could work in the store to make amends or even never enter the shop again, the CPS described.

Once the person in question was alone in the back office with him, however, Mr Uddin made clear that he was only interested in sexual acts in exchange for letting them go.

One victim said she only did as Uddin asked because “there was no other choice” and it was the only way out of the situation.

On Mr Uddin's convicted, a Primark spokesperson told the Comet the company was 'truly sorry' for what his victims suffered:

"This has been a horrendous ordeal for the victims and their families and we are truly sorry for what they have suffered.  Our thoughts are very much with them.

"The nature of these offences is shocking and distressing.

"Zia Uddin abused the trust that was placed in him by his employer, Brooknight Security, and by us, by taking advantage of his victims, who were young and vulnerable."

Primark in Kingston

Graham Partridge, from the CPS, meanwhile offered further details of the shocking case after Mr Uddin was found guilty:

"Zia Uddin preyed on young girls in a vulnerable situation," he said.

"He abused his authority by telling them to perform sexual acts for him on the promise that they would then be released without their parents or the police being informed about what they had done.

“Having worked in security, Uddin was also well aware of the CCTV camera ‘blind spots’ and took advantage of these in order to carry out his offending.

“The prosecution case was able to rely on strong witness testimony from the victims who were able to give evidence via pre-recorded video after the CPS applied for special measures.

"Telephone evidence also showed that Uddin had made a number of personal phone calls to other girls accused of shoplifting after acquiring their phone numbers through the incidents.

“During the trial Uddin claimed all the victims were liars and refused to take responsibility for his actions. He has now been held accountable for his actions.

"The CPS takes sexual offences extremely seriously and will prosecute offenders where there is the evidence to do so.”

The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) also commented on the case. 

On Tuesday (November 12) an NSPCC spokesperson praised the bravery of those targeted by Mr Uddin. 

“Uddin’s victims have shown a tremendous amount of bravery in recounting the actions of a man who cruelly exploited their vulnerability.

“Uddin’s role gave him power and authority over these girls and he betrayed that privilege for his own twisted satisfaction, indisputably proving the danger he poses to young people,” the NSPCC spokesperson said. 

Mr Uddin is due to be sentenced on November 19 at Kingston Crown Court.

He is from Manor Park in Newham.

He was employed by Brooknight Security to work at the Primark in Eden Walk in Kingston.