ILTAF KHAN

OLDHAM MAN CAUGHT IN LIVE FACEBOOK STING GETS SUSPENDED SENTENCE FOR GROOMING

Iltaf Khan, a 38-year-old man from Littlemoor Lane, Oldham, appeared at Minshull Street Crown Court after pleading guilty to multiple serious offences involving online sexual communication with a decoy posing as an 11-year-old.

Prosecutor Betsy Hindle detailed how a paedophile hunter group member, acting as an 11-year-old, received messages from Khan on August 3, 2019.

The conversation quickly turned sexual on WhatsApp, with exchanges of explicit photographs and messages over the following month.

Khan asked the decoy about her relationship status, expressed romantic feelings, and made disturbing requests, including asking for photographs of her feet and proposing sexual acts over the phone.

He also sent nude pictures of himself and a voice note claiming to be masturbating.

The decoy indicated she needed a parcel delivered, and Khan provided his home address.

On September 16, 2019, a group confronted Khan at his residence in a live-streamed Facebook session, leading to his arrest and device seizures.

Khan claimed he believed the decoy was 20, not under 13, and that he thought the age of consent was 19; he also alleged the decoy tried to coax him into sexual conversations.

Despite four prior convictions, none related to sexual offences, Khan showed remorse and made efforts to rehabilitate, receiving support from family and psychiatric medication.

The court sentenced him to two years in prison, suspended for two years, with requirements for a sex offender’s programme and a 10-year sexual harm prevention order, as well as registration on the sex offenders' register for the same duration.