A 52-YEAR-old Iranian chef has been jailed for eight years after engaging in sexual activity with a child and supplying drugs.

Hossein Sabourian of Tintagel Close, off Preston Old Road, Blackburn, was arrested in July as a result of a lengthy investigation by Lancashire police’s child exploitation department ‘Operation Cherish’.

It followed a complaint over his conduct relating to a 15-year-old girl.

Sabourian is the proprietor of ‘MI CASA’ takeaway restaurant in Chorley Road, Walton-le-Dale, police said.

He pleaded guilty in November to three counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child and one offence of supplying class A drugs.

As well as jail, he was placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely.

After the case, Detective Constable Michael Finan said: “I am extremely happy with the sentence passed to this dangerous individual.

“I hope that this case gives hope to victims who believe that they will not be listened to and that this encourages them to come forward and make their complaint.

“I hope this sentence will be of some comfort to the victim and will allow her to move forward with her life.”