PRESTON MAN MD JAHANGIR ALAM CAUGHT IN SEXUAL PREDATION SCHEME INVOLVING PAEDOPHILE HUNTERS
In a disturbing case that unfolded in Preston, Md Jahangir Alam, a 39-year-old man residing on Balfour Road, found himself at the center of a serious criminal investigation after he engaged in inappropriate and sexualized online communications with what he believed was a minor.The incident came to light when paedophile hunters, operating under the guise of a 14-year-old boy, managed to confront Alam at his workplace, the Raj Indian restaurant located in Newton, near Preston.
According to court proceedings, prosecutor Paul Brookwell detailed how Alam initiated contact with an individual known as Mr Myles Manning, who is part of a paedophile hunter group.
Alam believed he was communicating with a 14-year-old boy named Carl.
However, Manning was actually an adult posing as a minor to catch potential offenders.
The conversation quickly turned explicit, with Alam sending graphic images and making lewd sexual suggestions, despite being informed that the person he was speaking to was claiming to be only 14 years old.
It was revealed that Alam engaged in these conversations over several days, from July 30 to August 4, 2019.
During this period, he not only exchanged sexually explicit messages but also discussed the possibility of meeting in person.
He even offered to pay for a hotel room, acknowledging the age discrepancy and expressing a desire to meet despite the apparent risks.
Alam claimed he thought 'Carl' was joking about his age and denied any sexual interest in children, asserting that nothing would happen if they met.
On August 4, 2019, the paedophile hunters attended Alam’s place of work, and subsequently contacted the police.
Law enforcement officers responded promptly, and Alam was taken into custody.
During police interviews, he admitted to having the conversations, sending the images, and believing that the individual he was communicating with was joking about his age.
Despite this, he denied any intent to meet or engage in sexual activity with a minor.
In court, Alam faced charges of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and attempting to cause a child to engage in sexual activity.
The court heard that he had engaged in these activities over a span of several days.
Although no charges were brought regarding a physical meeting, the discussions about such an encounter, including offers to pay for a hotel, were considered serious.
Recorder Neville Biddle sentenced Alam to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years.
The judge expressed confusion over Alam’s motives, stating, “Quite why you involved yourself in this activity remains a mystery.
You may be grateful in a sense that this was not a real 14-year-old boy.” The court also imposed a rehabilitation requirement and ordered Alam to attend a sex offender treatment program.
Furthermore, Alam was mandated to sign the Sex Offender’s Register for a period of ten years and was issued a sexual harm prevention order for the same duration, reflecting the seriousness of his actions and the ongoing risk he poses.
