NELSON MAN JAILED FOR ONLINE CHILD EXPLOITATION AFTER ASKING FOR PICTURES FROM 'GIRL'
A man named Saqib Sohail, aged 36 and from Nelson, was involved in a case where he believed he was communicating with a 14-year-old girl online.
During the interactions, Sohail asked for naked pictures of the girl and sent her images of himself.
The communication took place over Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp, and the messages made clear from the start that the girl was only 14 years old, yet Sohail continued to engage with her.
Prosecutor Paul Brookwell stated that Sohail told the girl she "looked sexy" and inquired about her breast size.
He also asked if she would "sext" with him, suggesting that "When your age will be 20 we will sex." There was a video call in which Sohail exposed his genitals.
Another individual confronted Sohail at his workplace in Nelson in September.
During police interview, Sohail answered no comment.
His solicitor, Phillip Holden, stated that Sohail had previous good character in the UK and Pakistan and expressed shame and embarrassment for his actions, though the pre-sentence report did not view his remorse as genuine.
Judge Sara Dodd sentenced Sohail to two years and six months imprisonment, imposed a 10-year sexual harm prevention order, and ordered him to sign the sex offenders register indefinitely.
The judge acknowledged that the charges were not full offences as they involved a decoy account but highlighted the seriousness of his conduct.
Court Outcome
Conviction and Sentencing Details
Sentenced
Detected legal outcome
and embarrassment for his actions, though the pre-sentence report did not view his remorse as genuine. Judge Sara Dodd sentenced Sohail to two years and six months imprisonment, imposed a 10-year sexual harm prevention order, and ordered...
Prison sentence
two years and six months
Judge Sara Dodd sentenced Sohail to two years and six months imprisonment, imposed a 10-year sexual harm prevention order, and ordered him to sign the sex offenders register indefinitely
Sex Offenders Register
indefinitely
Judge Sara Dodd sentenced Sohail to two years and six months imprisonment, imposed a 10-year sexual harm prevention order, and ordered him to sign the sex offenders register indefinitely
Court order
indefinitely
Judge Sara Dodd sentenced Sohail to two years and six months imprisonment, imposed a 10-year sexual harm prevention order, and ordered him to sign the sex offenders register indefinitely
