HORRIFIC CRIME: SALMAN SIDDIQI, THE HORRIFIC PEDOPHILE FROM HORNCHURCH AND MARGATE, CAUGHT TRYING TO MEET CHILD FOR SEX AT QEQM HOSPITAL

In a disturbing case that has shocked the local communities of Hornchurch and Margate, Salman Siddiqi, a 44-year-old intensive care paediatrician, has been convicted of attempting to engage in child sex offences. The incident unfolded in January 2023 when Siddiqi, who was employed at the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital (QEQM) in Margate, initiated a series of online communications with what he believed was a 14-year-old boy named Lee. These exchanges quickly turned sexual in nature, with Siddiqi sending explicit images of himself and expressing his desire to abuse a child.

According to reports, the conversations began on January 7, 2023, when Siddiqi reached out to the fictitious profile of Lee. Despite the clear indication from the other party that he was only 14 years old, Siddiqi responded affirmatively, showing no concern for the age difference. The paediatrician then made arrangements to meet the boy at his workplace, the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital, with the intent of engaging in sexual activity. The planned meeting was set for the early hours of January 8, but Siddiqi was unaware that the profile he was communicating with was part of an elaborate sting operation.

Unbeknownst to Siddiqi, the individual posing as the underage boy was an amateur 'paedo hunter' working alone. This vigilant citizen had pretended to be a 14-year-old and had arranged to meet Siddiqi at his lodgings within the hospital grounds. The hunter had also sent naked pictures of himself to Siddiqi in anticipation of the encounter, which was supposed to take place around 3 a.m. The plan was for the two to meet and carry out sexual acts.

However, the situation took a dramatic turn when Siddiqi arrived at the hospital and was confronted outside his accommodation by the 'paedo hunter.' The hunter, who was also calling the police, chased Siddiqi through the hospital premises as he attempted to escape. Siddiqi, realizing he was caught, ran into the Accident & Emergency department of the hospital. Security staff at the hospital detained him until police officers arrived and made the arrest.

Following his arrest, Siddiqi was taken to Folkestone Magistrates’ Court, where he pleaded guilty to charges of engaging in sexual communication with a child and attempting to facilitate a child sex offence. The evidence presented included chat logs in which Siddiqi explicitly expressed his willingness to meet the 'underage boy' and detailed plans for their encounter. Despite being asked multiple times if he was comfortable with the age of the child, Siddiqi confirmed his willingness to proceed. He also sent explicit images and described what they would do when they met.

Further investigations revealed that Siddiqi had a troubling history. In 2019, he was cautioned by police for flashing his genitals to passers-by in Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, London. Despite this, he was allowed to continue working with children, including at the hospital in Margate. His employment was not immediately terminated, and he was suspended for a month in 2021 after the incident was kept secret from the General Medical Council (GMC) for nearly two years.

During the trial, an anonymous 'paedo hunter' who has helped secure over 100 convictions over nine years expressed outrage at Siddiqi’s continued employment. The hunter criticized the NHS for allowing someone with a prior caution for a sexual offence to work with children, questioning how Siddiqi was recruited despite his past. The hunter emphasized that if it had been anyone else, such as a member of the public caught flashing, they would not be able to find employment in such a setting again.

On June 30, 2023, Siddiqi was sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court to two years and four months in prison. He was also subjected to a sexual harm prevention order and was placed on the sex offenders register. The court’s decision underscores the severity of his actions and the potential risk he posed to children. Siddiqi’s case has sparked widespread concern about safeguarding procedures within healthcare institutions and the need for stricter vetting processes for staff working with vulnerable children.