LEEDS PAEDOPHILE JAILED FOR PREDATORY ONLINE GROOMING

The Leeds court heard that 29-year-old Shafiqul Islam, of Hillcrest Avenue in Harehills, engaged in predatory behavior towards a person he believed to be a 12-year-old girl on social media app KIK, which was actually an undercover officer. Prosecutor Vincent Blake-Barnard reported that Islam initiated the conversation on August 13 and used the ID 'DUK', showing activity for over 1,300 days, and included an image of a bare chest. Islam made inappropriate comments, revealing he was from England, and expressed that he was 26, asking if he was too old for the girl. He also mentioned driving an 18-year-old BMW. The court was told that on August 23, Islam continued messaging after a holiday, and by August 28, the conversations became more sexualized. Islam asked about her pyjama situation and said he wished for a cuddle, using emojis including a sweating face, and requested a photograph from her. He also asked if she was naked and suggested he would meet and carry out acts with a young child. Islam admitted to attempting to communicate with a person under 16 and was identified, arrested, and responded with 'no comment' during interview. Court proceedings revealed that Islam has previous convictions, including a suspended sentence for making and distributing pseudo images of a child, and at the time of the offense, he was under a suspended sentence for supplying cannabis. Mitigating, Lily Wildman stated that Islam is aware of the seriousness of his actions, which have affected his family with stigma. The judge, His Honour Judge Ray Singh, sentenced Islam to 25 months in prison, emphasizing grooming and predatory behavior, and stated he would remain subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and notification requirements.