ASHFAQ AHMED AND YASIR JIBRAN CAUGHT IN NEWCASTLE CHILD SEX GROOMING PLOT
In a disturbing case that unfolded in Newcastle, two men were sentenced to prison after falling into a trap set by vigilant child protection groups.The incident involved individuals who believed they were meeting underage boys for sexual activities, only to be confronted by members of the 'Guardians of the North,' a dedicated vigilante organization committed to combating online child exploitation.
According to court proceedings, Ashfaq Ahmed, aged 21, and Yasir Jibran, aged 35, had established contact through the popular dating app Grindr.
Their online conversations revealed a disturbing intent, as they discussed the possibility of engaging in sexual acts with minors.
The court was informed that Ahmed, who used profile pictures featuring Batman pajamas, sent explicit messages and images to what he believed were four male children, aged between 13 and 15, over a span of a few days in April 2017.
These conversations were part of a broader online effort to find underage boys for sexual encounters.
The court heard that both men had engaged with a fake profile created by the vigilante group, which posed as a 15-year-old boy.
During the online chats, they asked the fake minor if he was 'up for fun,' indicating their intent to pursue illegal sexual activities.
When the two men arrived at the designated meeting point, expecting to meet the 15-year-old, they were met by members of the Guardians of the North.
The group had set up the fake profiles and social media accounts to catch adults seeking illegal contact with minors.
Upon inspection of the men's belongings, police officers discovered condoms and sachets of lubricant, further confirming their intentions.
Ahmed, residing on Warrington Road in Elswick, Newcastle, pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including three counts of attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity, one count of attempting to have sexual communication with a child, and one count of attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming.
He was sentenced to two years in prison.
Jibran, from Wingrove Gardens in Newcastle, admitted to attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming and received a sentence of 21 months in prison.
During the sentencing, Judge Penny Moreland addressed the defendants, stating, 'Ahmed created different profiles on Grindr which were used to approach others.
You (Ahmed) were telling boys aged between 13 and 15 to engage in sexual communication and proposed sexual activity with them.
You had met Jibran on Grindr during the time you were engaging in those conversations and found him to be a like-minded individual.
You two, together, discussed sexual matters, which included finding underage boys for sex.
Finally, you arranged to meet one of the boys you believed you were talking to, equipped with lubricant sachets and condoms, intending both of you should engage in penetrative sexual activity.' The judge emphasized the seriousness of their actions, highlighting their shared interest in seeking underage partners for sex.
Both men are now required to sign the sex offenders register and will be subject to a sexual harm prevention order for the next ten years, underscoring the ongoing risk they pose to the community.
