MAN ARRESTED AFTER VIGILANTE PAEDOPHILE STING IN ESSEX
An Egyptian man is facing deportation after travelling to Essex to have sex with an underage girl.But Tarek Elshendi, 35, had actually fallen for a sting by “vigilante” paedophile hunters, prosecutor Philippa Page told Basildon Crown Court on Tuesday (January 6).
Elshendi pleaded guilty to seven child sex offences and was told he will be remanded to prison until he is sentenced at the end of February.
“You have admitted now seven offences, all relating to sexual misbehaviour with children,” said Judge Richard Conley – his words being translated to Elshendi by an Arabic interpreter.
"These are serious matters, as I’m sure you understand.
It seems to me that a substantial term of imprisonment is pretty much inevitable in your case.” Elshendi pleaded guilty to four counts of attempting sexual communication with a person under the age of 16 – each charge relating to a different decoy child.
He sent sexual messages to all four via WhatsApp and Facebook.
He also admitted attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming and two charges of arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sexual offence.
All seven crimes were committed in the space of two-and-a-half weeks in August last year.
He was arrested when he travelled from his home, in Moseley Road, Birmingham, to Harlow, intending to meet an underage girl.
But when he arrived, he was confronted by vigilante paedophile hunters, who had called the police and were broadcasting his arrival on the internet.
"There are multiple intended victims," said Mrs Page.
"When the arrest is live streamed on Facebook, there is a flood of other vigilante groups who report his activities – so of course, that must give rise to serious concerns." Mitigating barrister Jessica Peck said her client had already been informed that he would likely serve 30% of any prison sentence before being deported back to Egypt – something he would not contest, as “he wants to return as soon as possible”.
Judge Conley ordered a probation pre-sentence report, telling Elshendi: “It is really to address the risk of further offences and whether or not you are someone who should be treated as a dangerous offender, rather than it being to consider any alternatives to custody – particularly given that you have already indicated to me through your barrister that you intend to seek voluntary repatriation to Egypt.” His sentencing was scheduled for February 24.
