Mohammed Sahinur, was arrested by officers from Hertfordshire Constabulary in June 2022, following an operation to identify offenders targeting vulnerable children via social media.
Sahinur had been targeting girls as young as 11 since 2021 and had been encouraging them to send sexual photos of themselves and then threatening them if they refused.
Sahinur was initially arrested on suspicion of sexual communication with a child and all of his electronic devices were seized. Further victims were then identified, and more offences were revealed. He was subsequently charged with 15 offences including:
• Sexual communication with a child.
• Eight offences of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity.
• Four offences of causing a child to watch a sexual act.
• Sexual assault of a child under 13.
• Rape of a child under 13.
Sahinur was remanded into custody and appeared at St Albans Crown Court for trial between 30 January 2023 and 3 February 2023. He was subsequently found guilty of all offences.
On Friday 3 November, he appeared back at St Albans Crown Court for sentencing. He was given a custodial sentence of 11 years 6 months.
Detective Sergeant Jim Miller from the Child Online Safeguarding Team said: “Not only did Sahinur groom vulnerable young girls via social media, he also met up with one victim so he could physically abuse her as well.
“To make sure these young girls continued to supply him with indecent images he threatened them, telling them he would tell other family members or share the images further. This behaviour has had a very detrimental impact on the mental wellbeing being of these young girls.
“We will continue to track down perpetrators like Sahinur and would encourage anyone who has been a victim of similar behaviour to get in touch. We can help you and you will be fully supported by specially trained officers.”
