PONTEFRACT MAN BAHRAM HOSSEINI CAUGHT TRYING TO MEET BOY IN NEWCASTLE

In September 2017, a disturbing case unfolded involving Bahram Hosseini, a 49-year-old man from Pontefract, who was caught attempting to meet a minor for sexual activity. Hosseini had been engaging in online conversations with what he believed was a 14-year-old boy on the social media platform Kik. Unbeknownst to him, he was actually communicating with members of the undercover organization Guardians of the North, who had set up a decoy to catch potential predators.

Hosseini had arranged to meet the decoy at Newcastle’s Central Station after exchanging explicit messages. The meeting was part of an operation to apprehend individuals attempting to exploit minors. Hosseini traveled from his home on Wakefield Road in Pontefract, North Yorkshire, to Newcastle by train, a journey exceeding 100 miles, with the intent of meeting the supposed young boy for sexual purposes.

When Hosseini arrived at the station, he was confronted by members of Guardians of the North. During the confrontation, he was arrested on suspicion of attempting to meet a child for sexual activity. The authorities revealed that Hosseini had been communicating with the decoy for approximately a week and a half, during which he exchanged explicit messages, repeatedly affirming that he was 48 years old and seeking a romantic or sexual relationship.

Despite being informed that the recipient was only 14 and living with his mother, Hosseini continued to send sexually explicit messages and even asked if it was acceptable to proceed with the meeting. Prosecutor Catherine Silverton detailed that Hosseini had sent messages to the decoy, who went by the name ‘Joey,’ indicating his intentions and making arrangements to meet.

At Leeds Crown Court, Hosseini pleaded guilty to charges of attempting to meet a minor under the age of 16 for sexual purposes, following grooming behavior. The court decided to impose a sentence of 410 days in jail, but this was suspended for two years. Additionally, Hosseini was ordered to participate in 15 days of rehabilitation activities, complete 100 hours of unpaid work, and register as a sex offender for ten years. An indefinite sexual harm prevention order was also issued against him.

During the court proceedings, Hosseini denied being able to speak English when confronted at Newcastle Central Station, which was contradicted by the fact that his messages were in perfect English. A spokesperson for Guardians of the North expressed their outrage at the leniency of the sentence, describing it as a disgrace and warning that Hosseini posed a significant risk of reoffending. They emphasized that he showed no remorse and believed that a more severe punishment was necessary to serve as a deterrent.

Hosseini’s defense attorney, Mohammed Raffiq, highlighted that Hosseini had no prior convictions and had come to the UK as an asylum seeker fleeing religious persecution in Iran. Raffiq argued that deporting him back to Iran could endanger his life, suggesting that his circumstances should be considered in the case. The judge noted that any decision regarding deportation would be a matter for an immigration and asylum tribunal, leaving Hosseini’s future uncertain in that regard.