ALI ASGHAR GROOMS 13-YEAR-OLD IN ABERDEEN AND YORK, SENTENCED TO OVER FIVE YEARS IN PRISON

A young man from Aberdeen who engaged in a disturbing case of online grooming involving a 13-year-old girl from York has been sentenced to prison for his actions. Ali Asghar, aged 20, used social media platforms to communicate with the underage girl, during which he sent her explicit images and videos of himself. He then demanded that she reciprocate by sending similar material. Despite knowing her age, Asghar made arrangements to meet her in York, traveling from Aberdeen to do so in December 2023.

His actions did not go unnoticed for long. The girl’s parents became suspicious and promptly contacted the police, who responded swiftly. Officers set up a surveillance operation at the designated meeting point in York, where Asghar was arrested upon arrival. The investigation revealed that Asghar had engaged in sexual communication with a minor, incited the girl to watch sexual acts, and planned to meet her for sexual purposes, all of which constituted serious criminal offenses.

At York Crown Court, Asghar pleaded guilty to all charges on January 15. The court subsequently handed down a sentence of five years and three months in prison, reflecting the gravity of his crimes. In addition to his incarceration, Asghar was issued with a sexual harm prevention order and a restraining order, both of which will remain in effect for ten years, aiming to protect the victim and prevent further offenses.

The victim, in a heartfelt personal statement read aloud in court, expressed the profound emotional toll the incident has taken on her. She stated, “I am struggling to trust people. I don’t know why they want to talk to me. I am scared that other people will do this to me. I now feel that I can’t trust anyone as I don’t know what their intentions are.” Her words highlighted the lasting impact of grooming and exploitation on young victims.

Detective Constable Rebecca Hebblethwaite of North Yorkshire Police commended the bravery of the girl in helping to bring Asghar to justice. “The victim in this case has been extremely brave in helping to convict Asghar. Thanks to her courage, we’ve been able to ensure he has faced justice, and prevent him from harming other children,” she said.

Authorities continue to emphasize that grooming is a serious crime. They urge anyone who suspects a person is being groomed, even if unsure, to report it. Similarly, if someone believes they are being groomed, they should seek help and inform the police either online or by calling 101, to protect themselves and others from potential harm.