NAVEED ASHRAF FROM MANCHESTER SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES INSTAURATE INCIDENT IN STAFFORDSHIRE

In June 2021, a police operation exposed Naveed Ashraf, a 37-year-old taxi driver from Levenshulme, south Manchester, who traveled nearly 50 miles to meet a girl he believed was 13 years old for sex. Ashraf was intercepted by paedophile hunters, who had set up a decoy account through the group Justice4Kids. Ashraf drove to Kidsgrove in North Staffordshire with a pizza intended for the girl and was found in possession of condoms, Viagra, red roses, and a gift bag in his car.

The group filmed his arrival and confrontation at the meeting point, subsequently informing the police. The footage was shared with authorities to secure Ashraf's arrest, resulting in his current three-year prison sentence for child sex offences.

The 40-minute live-streamed footage begins with the hunters questioning Ashraf about his online interactions with the girl. They arrive on January 3 of that year to find Ashraf appearing uncomfortable and remorseful. A man holding the camera accuses him of traveling from Manchester to Stoke-on-Trent specifically to meet a 13-year-old girl, and of planning to stay at her property.

During the questioning, one hunter displays printed chat logs, indicating Ashraf's intent and pattern of communication. They highlight his repeated references to leggings and a concerning message about keeping the girl warm by "rubbing her bum and thighs," indicating inappropriate intent. Ashraf admits during the recording that he was planning to meet the child for sex, which the group clarifies is statutory rape.

Ashraf expresses feelings of sadness, claiming it is his first time in such a situation and stating, "I feel very bad. My wife is going to be very angry. Forgive me this time. I haven’t done anything before. I wouldn’t rape anyone. I’m ashamed of myself." He nearly faints as he appears overwhelmed by shame, telling the camera, "I wasn’t going to do anything, I was just going to eat pizza."

As police officers are en route, Ashraf is visibly distraught, breaking down in tears and repeatedly shaking his head. The footage captures the takeaway food he bought while the crowd gathers. After nearly 45 minutes, police arrive, arrest him, and lead him away as the footage concludes.

Further investigations revealed Ashraf had solicited images from the girl, including photos of her in leggings and her private parts, and exchanged explicit pictures of sexual positions.

Prosecutor Nick Tatlow outlined that Ashraf attempted to incite a 13-year-old girl to engage in sexual activity on July 29, 2019. Between November 2019 and January 2020, he tried to arrange a sexual encounter with a second girl, also 13, who was a decoy created by Justice4Kids. Ashraf contacted her asking, "Do you want to have sex with me?" and responded to her reply that she was only 13 by saying, "It’s OK, we do gently and we use condoms." He also inquired about her private area and where they should meet to have sex, suggesting he could pick her up from his house and sharing his WhatsApp contact.

He requested photos of her in leggings and explicitly asked for a picture with her legs wide open. He also sent images depicting sexual positions and instructed her to delete them afterward. Police searches of his phone uncovered Google searches questioning the legality of his actions, such as "Is it ok to have sex with a 13-year-old girl?"

Ashraf, of Longden Road, Levenshulme, pleaded guilty and was sentenced this week to three years in prison. He is also subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and must register as a sex offender for life.