RAHMAT MASIH CAUGHT IN CARDIFF GROOMING SCHEME NEAR PONTYPRIDD
In a disturbing case that unfolded in Cardiff, a 38-year-old man named Rahmat Masih was convicted of attempting to groom a child for sexual purposes.The incident involved a series of online communications with an individual he believed to be a 12-year-old girl, which ultimately led to his arrest and subsequent sentencing.
It was revealed that Masih, a married father of one, engaged in a sinister online conversation with what he thought was a young girl.
The contact began on a social networking site called Chat Hour, where he created a profile claiming to be a 19-year-old girl named Becky.
During their exchanges, Masih repeatedly inquired about her age, her school life, and her mother, indicating a clear intent to pursue a sexual relationship.
The court heard that the conversation moved from the social platform to WhatsApp, where Masih continued to communicate directly with the decoy.
He sent her a photograph of a girl in a bikini and asked whether her breasts looked similar, a clear indication of his inappropriate intentions.
He also shared sexual videos, asking her to delete them afterward, and discussed sexual acts, describing what he would like to do to her.
Masih further requested images of the girl and offered to 'train her' for sex, revealing his predatory mindset.
According to prosecutors, the defendant arranged to meet the girl at The Ship Inn in Llantwit Fardre, promising to bring cash and sweets to lure her.
During their conversations, he asked her what kind of chocolate she preferred and suggested that it would be easier if she wore a skirt, citing his car’s blacked-out windows.
The girl, who maintained her age of 12, reiterated her age multiple times during the exchanges.
Once the decoy group, Welsh Children Protectors, identified the suspicious activity, they reported it to the authorities.
The group’s leader and members observed Masih working behind the counter at a Post Office in Cardiff, where he was employed.
They promptly alerted South Wales Police, who arrested him at approximately 10:40 pm.
During questioning, Masih asked if he could inform his wife and son about the situation.
When interviewed on May 13, he admitted to communicating with 'Becky' but claimed her profile indicated she was 19.
Police conducted a search of his residence in Cardiff, where they seized three mobile phones, an iPad, and a laptop.
The investigation confirmed his involvement in attempting to meet a child for sexual purposes and grooming her online.
Masih, who was working at the Post Office and had aspirations to train as a nurse—an ambition now thwarted—pleaded guilty to charges of attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming and attempting to cause a child to view sexual images.
During the sentencing at Cardiff Crown Court, Judge Tom Crowther QC emphasized that no real child was involved in the case, but he pointed out that the 'Becky' persona could have been a peer of Masih’s own child.
The judge described the WhatsApp contact as 'sinister' because it was direct and private, rather than on a public forum.
He also highlighted that Masih could not have been unaware of the age of the person he was communicating with.
As a result, Masih was sentenced to 12 months in prison.
Additionally, the court imposed a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order to restrict his future activities and protect potential victims from similar conduct in the future.
