MOHAMMED ARSHAD FROM LUTON SENTENCED TO 23 YEARS FOR SEX OFFENCES INVOLVING UNDERAGE GIRLS IN BEDFORDSHIRE

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Luton and the wider Bedfordshire area, Mohammed Arshad, a former police officer, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term of 23 years for a series of heinous sexual offences involving underage girls. The crimes, which spanned over a two-year period, involved grooming, sexual assault, and exploitation of vulnerable minors, with Arshad using social media platforms to identify and target his victims.

Arshad, aged 35, was convicted last month at St Albans Crown Court after a comprehensive trial that uncovered the extent of his predatory behavior. The court found him guilty of a total of 17 charges, including nine counts of causing a child to engage in sexual activity, three counts of sexual activity with a minor, and two counts of meeting a child following grooming. Additionally, he was convicted of one count of rape, causing a child to watch a sexual act, and paying for sexual services involving a minor.

The victims, numbering 12 in total, ranged in age from 13 to 16 years old. One particularly disturbing incident involved Arshad raping a 14-year-old girl in the back of his Mercedes vehicle. He also sexually abused 11 other girls, whom he had groomed and persistently harassed through social media messaging and manipulation. The court heard that Arshad had lied about his age to gain the trust of these young victims and exploited his position as a police officer to impress or intimidate them.

Judge Jonathan Carroll, presiding over the case, sentenced Arshad to an initial term of 15 years in prison, with an additional eight-year extended supervision period. This means that upon release, Arshad will remain under the supervision of probation officers until the year 2039, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities and compliance with restrictions.

During the sentencing, Judge Carroll described Arshad as a dangerous offender who actively and obsessively sought out young girls’ data from social media sites between 2009 and 2013. The judge emphasized the severity of Arshad’s misconduct, noting that he had used his police credentials to manipulate and exploit his victims. The investigation revealed that police officers, upon searching Arshad’s home in Luton, discovered images of teenage girls stored on his phone and computers. Authorities also traced numerous potential victims through social media messages, highlighting the extent of his grooming activities.

In response to this case, Bedfordshire Police announced that they have reviewed and strengthened their vetting procedures to prevent individuals with similar predatory tendencies from joining the force in the future. The case has raised serious concerns about safeguarding and the importance of rigorous background checks within law enforcement agencies, especially in areas like Luton where Arshad once served as a trainee police officer before his suspension following the victim’s disclosures.