A "DEVOUT and strict Muslim" who invited a child to commit a sex act on him, is behind bars for 12 months.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Muhammed Shahid, 45, who prays five times a day, had "set the scene for sexual behaviour," with his Burnley schoolgirl victim before he struck, last November.

Shahid, then staying in Burnley, where he has a son, but who lives in Rusholme, Manchester, with his wife and child, was sent to prison by Judge Raymond Bennett, after a jury earlier convicted him of an indecency allegation. He had denied the charge.

The court had been told how Shahid had begun to hug the victim and asked her to hug him back. Tim Brennand, prosecuting, told the jury: "The defendant was piece by piece building up a sexual conversation and setting the scene for sexual impropriety."

Mr Brennand alleged the defendant went on to talk about having a pornographic video and whether the two of them should watch it.

The victim later told her mother what had gone on and the defendant was arrested by the police and interviewed.

When Shahid was questioned, he said he had been alone with the child but denied any form of improper behaviour or conduct.