INDIAN ENGINEER KARTHICK SUNDARAM CAUGHT IN MANCHESTER CHILD SEX PLOT

In a disturbing case that has shocked the communities in Manchester and beyond, Karthick Sundaram, a 29-year-old engineer originally from India, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison after admitting to serious child sex offences. The incident unfolded during a business trip to Manchester, where Sundaram was visiting from his home in Chennai, India, as part of his role as a solutions engineer. His frequent travels took him to Britain and Sweden, but it was during this particular visit that his actions drew the attention of vigilant online groups dedicated to protecting children.

According to court proceedings, Sundaram arrived in Manchester on September 6 and immediately began using dating websites from his hotel, the Mercure in the city centre. The following day, he initiated contact with a profile created by a vigilante group, which was designed to lure potential offenders. The profile, under the name 'Kerry,' featured a picture of a 10-year-old girl, and the conversation was initiated with Sundaram sending a provocative message, 'Hi, sexy,' along with an explicit image of himself. The decoy profile claimed to be 14 years old, but Sundaram did not question this detail and quickly escalated the conversation to sexual topics.

He expressed a desire to meet and arranged to do so at 6 pm in Piccadilly Gardens. The person behind the decoy, who was not based in Manchester, alerted another vigilante group member in the area. When Sundaram arrived at the designated meeting spot, he was confronted by members of the group and subsequently detained by police officers. During questioning at Longsight police station, Sundaram claimed he believed 'Kerry' was older than 14, a statement that did little to mitigate his charges.

Further investigations revealed that Sundaram had engaged in similar online conduct the day before, on September 7, using the site Meet4u. On that occasion, he contacted another decoy posing as a 12-year-old girl named 'Daisy May.' Again, he initiated contact with the phrase 'Hi sexy' and sent an explicit image. When the decoy stated she was only 12, Sundaram responded with a disturbing 'good.'

He was charged and pleaded guilty to multiple offences, including attempting to meet a girl under 16 with the intent to commit a sexual offence, grooming, and attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child. The court heard that his actions were recognized by community groups involved in decoy operations, including 'the Children’s Angels,' which identified him following his arrest.

During the hearing, Sundaram appeared via videolink from prison, where he was seen holding his hands together in a prayerful gesture as he awaited the judge’s decision. Judge Suzanne Goddard QC sentenced him to 18 months in prison. It was also stated that Sundaram would serve half of his sentence before being deported back to India, ending his brief but troubling presence in Manchester’s community.