Halifax Ice Cream Vendor Jailed for Sexually Abusing Teenage Girl at The Piece Hall

Arthur Malaj, 37, of Range Lane in Halifax, has been sentenced to over three years in prison for sexually abusing a teenage girl while working as an ice cream vendor at The Piece Hall more than a decade ago.

Malaj was found guilty in July of causing a child to engage in sexual activity. The court heard that he had groomed the victim by providing her with free ice cream and extra change before engaging her in sexual conversations.

On multiple occasions, Malaj persuaded the girl to perform sexual acts on him in the toilets at The Piece Hall. He also touched her breasts and bottom and kissed her.

The victim's abuse was not reported to the police until 2018. When interviewed, Malaj denied knowing the victim.

Recorder Simon Kealey KC, sentencing Malaj via a video link to HMP Leeds, stated that the abuse had had a "very significant effect" on the victim and that there was "an element of grooming" involved.

Malaj was initially scheduled for sentencing in August but failed to appear in court. He was subsequently apprehended and spent nearly a month on the run before being sentenced.

Recorder Kealey sentenced Malaj to three-and-a-half years for the sexual offenses and an additional four weeks for breaching his bail. Malaj will be required to register as a sex offender for life and is subject to an indefinite restraining order prohibiting contact with the victim.