KALID ORYAKHEL LEEDS SEX PREDATOR CAUGHT GROOMING UNDERAGE GIRLS IN LEEDS
In April 2023, a disturbing case emerged involving Kalid Oryakhel, an asylum seeker residing in Leeds, who engaged in a disturbing pattern of online sexual grooming targeting underage girls.Oryakhel, who was living at the Mercure Hotel on Otley Road in Leeds at the time, claimed he had 'no time to meet women,' a justification he offered for his inappropriate online behavior.
However, his actions revealed a calculated attempt to exploit vulnerable minors through digital means.
Unbeknownst to him, the two young girls he targeted were actually decoy profiles operated by paedophile hunter groups, designed to catch predators like him.
Despite this, Oryakhel proceeded to send explicit images and a video of himself masturbating to these fake profiles, demonstrating a clear intent to engage in sexual activities with minors.
The court heard that his predatory conduct began in September of the previous year.
It started when he sent a friend request to what he believed was a 13-year-old girl.
The initial exchanges appeared innocent, with Oryakhel asking questions that seemed typical of a young person.
However, the tone quickly shifted once the conversation moved to WhatsApp.
Prosecutor David Povall explained that Oryakhel began requesting photos from the girl and inquired whether she had ever kissed a boy, indicating a sexual interest.
He then suggested they meet in person, claiming he was feeling lonely and implying a desire for physical contact.
The prosecutor described how Oryakhel's conversation then took a sexual turn, with him suggesting they could make love in the garden of the hotel where he was staying.
The court was shown a three-minute video of a sexual act that Oryakhel had sent to the decoy profile.
The following day, Oryakhel shifted his focus to another profile, this time claiming to be a 14-year-old girl.
He continued his attempts to solicit explicit photos and even invited her to visit him at the hotel, further demonstrating his intent to engage in sexual activity with minors.
Oryakhel ultimately admitted to six criminal offences, including attempted sexual communication with a child on two occasions, attempting to cause a child to watch a sexual act, attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity, and attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming.
His actions were deemed highly predatory and calculated.
In sentencing, Recorder Sam Green KC described Oryakhel's behavior as “predatory grooming,” emphasizing the seriousness of his conduct.
The judge sentenced him to 45 months in prison, ordered him to be placed on the sex offenders register for life, and imposed a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) that will remain in effect until further notice.
The judge also noted that while Oryakhel claimed to have 'normal' sexual interests in women, his lack of opportunity to meet adult females did not justify or explain his actions, underscoring the severity of his offending behavior.
