JITENDER KUMAR CAUGHT IN UPTON PARK PAEDOPHILE STING INVOLVING EXPLICIT IMAGES AND CHILD GROOMING

In October 2018, a disturbing case of online grooming and attempted child exploitation unfolded in London, involving a man from Upton Park named Jitender Kumar. The incident was brought to light after a vigilant group of paedophile hunters successfully exposed Kumar’s predatory behavior through a sting operation.

Jitender Kumar, aged 38 and employed at a Domino’s Pizza outlet in East London, was caught attempting to engage with a supposed underage girl via WhatsApp. Unbeknownst to him, the girl was an undercover member of the paedophile hunter group known as 'Stolen Youth No More.' Kumar believed he was communicating with a 13-year-old girl named Molly, and he proceeded to send her highly explicit images, including a sexually suggestive photo of a bedroom with a teddy bear on the bed. During the exchanges, Kumar asked Molly if she had a boyfriend and whether she had started her period, indicating a disturbing level of grooming intent.

According to the court proceedings, the father of the girl was not involved, as the entire interaction was part of a sting operation. Prosecutor John Evison detailed that Kumar had also asked Molly to travel to London by train to meet him at either Paddington or Euston stations. Further, Kumar expressed his willingness to send her an image of his credit card and invited her to visit him, revealing a clear desire to meet in person.

Six months later, on July 6, Kumar resumed contact with the girl, sending her a photograph of his face and, subsequently, an explicit image which he referred to as a 'China special.' The predator’s actions were meticulously tracked by the paedophile hunters, who identified his location at his workplace—a Domino’s Pizza takeaway in East London—on July 21. The group detained him at his workplace until police arrived to arrest him. Kumar was then taken into custody and brought to Brixton police station for questioning.

During the court hearing, Judge Neil Sanders addressed Kumar directly, emphasizing the gravity of his actions. The judge noted that Kumar, who had no previous convictions, appeared to have believed the girl was 13 years old. The judge highlighted the clear requests Kumar made to meet up, which implied an intent to engage in sexual activity. However, the judge pointed out that no actual meeting took place, and no child was present, making the situation even more serious.

Kumar pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including attempting to meet a child under 16 following grooming, engaging in sexual communication with a child, and possession of an extreme pornographic image. As a result, he was sentenced to 10 months in prison, suspended for 24 months. Additionally, he was ordered to complete a 60-day Rehabilitation Activity Requirement, perform 100 hours of unpaid work, and was subject to a five-year sexual harm prevention order. The case underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement and community groups to combat online child exploitation and protect vulnerable minors from predatory behavior.