PAEDOPHILE CAUGHT TWICE BY HUNTERS WHO THOUGHT HE WAS MESSAGING YOUNG GIRLS WALKS FREE FROM COURT
A man who was targeted by a paedophile hunter group while engaging in online conversations with what he believed were underage girls is set to be released from prison soon.Joe Yousaf, aged 30, received a suspended prison sentence after Bradford Crown Court heard on Tuesday (June 9) that he had spent over six months behind bars while on remand following his second arrest last October.
In November 2024, Yousaf, formerly of Halifax, sent a friend request on Facebook to a profile he thought belonged to a 14-year-old girl.
However, it was actually a fake profile created by members of the Child Online Safety Team.
The court was told Yousaf called the girl “one sexy looking teen” and, according to prosecutor Laura McBride, he later sent videos revealing his genitalia and encouraged her to engage in sexualized acts.
When the decoy asked for a message to verify his identity, Yousaf responded, “Why?
So you can get my number and give it to the police?” Miss McBride explained that authorities managed to trace Yousaf’s address at that time, leading to his arrest by police, who also examined his mobile phone.
During his arrest in November 2024, officers discovered more than 40 indecent images of children stored on his device.
Currently of no fixed address, Yousaf was initially released on bail then released under investigation.
However, in October last year, he once again sent friend requests to two other decoy profiles created by the group.
According to Miss McBride, a group member recognized Yousaf from the previous year.
After attempts to locate him failed, another profile was used to arrange a meeting with a woman at Bradford Interchange.
He was arrested after police were contacted and he appeared at the scene.
Yousaf admitted to multiple charges, including attempting to cause a child to watch a sexual act, possessing indecent images of children, and two counts of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.
With no prior convictions, he was today given a 23-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid community work.
He is also required to attend an approved program and to adhere to a 10-year sexual harm prevention order.
Additionally, Yousaf will need to register as a sex offender with the authorities for the next decade.
During sentencing, Recorder Andrew Dallas stated that, although no actual child was harmed by Yousaf’s actions, this was not due to any benefit from the defendant’s part.
The judge emphasized that Yousaf’s ongoing offences and his demonstrated risk to the community, given his sexual interest in children, made his case serious.
He also noted that a pre-sentence report suggested that the risk could be managed within the community.
Yousaf was warned that he now has control over whether he ultimately ends up serving his sentence.
