FOLLOWING the dedication of Essex Police’s Child Abuse Investigation Team, a Southend man who admitted child cruelty has been jailed for almost two years.

Riyadur Rahman, HMP Chelmsford, formerly of an address in Grays, was jailed for 23 months at Basildon Crown Court on Monday, May 30, after he pleaded guilty to child cruelty at the same court.

 The sentencing follows a sensitive and difficult investigation launched by the Child Abuse Investigation Team, after concerns were raised about a young boy who was presented with injuries and facial bruising in 2018.

The offences, which took place in Southend, resulted in 29-year-old Riyadur Rahman being arrested and summoned to appear at Southend Magistrates’ Court on January 10, 2022 to answer a charge of cruelty to a person under 16, not related.

Rahman initially denied the offence, changing his plea to guilty at an appearance at Basildon Crown Court on August 23 last year.

 Public Protection Officer PC Jack Bronsdon, who led the investigation, said: “Any concerns raised to us about the welfare of any child will always be investigated by officers from our Child Abuse Investigation Team.

“It’s a team dedicated to safeguarding vulnerable children who cannot speak up for themselves and securing justice for any child in a similar situation.

“Rahman initially denied his involvement in the abhorrent treatment of an innocent child, but he admitted his guilt and he has been rightly punished for his actions.”