FATHER AND SON SENTENCED FOR SEX OFFENCES AGAINST UNDERAGE GIRLS IN CAMBRIDGE AND HITCHIN

In August 2012, Steven Sharma, aged 43, who was employed with children, was sentenced to 40 months in prison for sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl. During the same proceedings at Cambridge Crown Court, his son, Sam Sharma, aged 22, received a two-year suspended sentence after pleading guilty to engaging in sexual activities with underage girls.

Both men, who had worked with children in Cambridgeshire, had admitted their guilt earlier. Judge Jonathan Haworth sentenced Steven Sharma, stating: “You committed a series of serious offences against a female child. You entered a sexual relationship with her. You asked her for sexual intercourse a number of times and when she consented, you had sexual intercourse with her. The 25-year age gap between you was clear.” The court heard that Steven Sharma sent the victim sex toys and underwear and repeatedly asked her to send inappropriate photos.

Sam Sharma, of Sanfoine Close, Hitchin, also engaged in inappropriate conduct, requesting semi-naked photographs from his victims, kissing one girl, and touching her inappropriately. These offences occurred from January to July 2009. In June 2010, he was convicted of possessing indecent images of children and voyeurism, for which he received a three-year community order and was ordered to undertake a sex offenders’ treatment programme. He pleaded guilty to all charges.

Despite being barred from working with children, Sam Sharma breached this court order just four months later by continuing such work. His father, Steven Sharma, was also convicted of voyeurism in June 2010. During mitigation, Angela Rafferty commented that “something has gone seriously wrong in this family,” questioning the upbringing of Sam Sharma, and said that her client “feels an acute sense of guilt.” Charles Falk, representing Steven Sharma, described him as “a family man with a high standing in the community” who “completely lost his senses” and expressed remorse.

In June 2012, it emerged that Sam Sharma had flouted a court order by working with children after his conviction for possessing indecent images of children. Court restrictions had forbidden him from such employment. In a disturbing development, Steven Sharma was also set to be sentenced later that year for a series of sexual assaults against an underage girl.

Both Sharma men, from Sanfoine Close, Hitchin, appeared before Cambridge Crown Court on May 25, pleading guilty to their respective offences involving underage girls and sexual misconduct. Due to reporting restrictions, their cases could not be disclosed until now. Sam Sharma's prior conviction included a three-year community order and participation in a sex offenders’ treatment programme, but he breached this order shortly after.

Steven Sharma admitted to two counts of engaging in serious sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl between late July and early September 2009, and another count of sexual activity from August to September 2009. Charges against Sam Sharma involved sexual activities with 15-year-olds between January and July 2009, including purchasing and sending sex toys and underwear to one victim. Judge Gareth Hawkesworth stated: “Effectively there was a period of grooming followed by corruption of a minor.” The judge also noted that the father and son acted independently, unaware of each other's offences. The sentencing dates for both individuals have yet to be scheduled.