SAHHWAT ALI GROOMING DEWSBURY SCHOOLGIRL IN HORRIFIC CRIME

In October 2016, a disturbing case of grooming and sexual misconduct unfolded involving Sahhwat Ali, a man from Dewsbury, who was ultimately sentenced to prison for his inappropriate actions towards a 15-year-old girl. The incident highlighted the dangers of online grooming and the serious consequences that follow such predatory behavior.

Ali, who was over 40 years old at the time, deliberately misrepresented his age, claiming to be closer to 30 in order to deceive the young girl. The teenager had initially told him she planned to visit the library, but instead, she agreed to meet him at a property undergoing renovation on Huddersfield Road in Dewsbury. This meeting was arranged after a series of sexually explicit messages had been exchanged between them, revealing Ali’s infatuation and inappropriate intentions.

During their encounter, Ali kissed the girl and touched her over her clothing, actions that constituted a serious breach of trust and legality. Leeds Crown Court heard that at one point, the girl described Ali, then aged 43, lying on a sofa on top of her and simulating sexual activity, although both were clothed. She told him to stop, and he complied. Despite this, the court found his behavior deeply troubling.

Ali had provided the girl with a mobile phone to facilitate contact, and when authorities examined their messages, they discovered numerous exchanges in which he expressed love for her. These messages painted a clear picture of grooming and manipulation. When questioned by police, Ali denied any wrongdoing, claiming, “I didn’t touch her. She’s absolutely lying.”

Representing Ali, Lee Kanu QC, acknowledged the difficulty Ali faced in admitting his actions, emphasizing that he had stopped once the girl asked him to. Kanu described the incident as an infatuation that developed unexpectedly, noting that Ali, who was 46 at the time of sentencing, had no prior criminal record. He argued that the age difference was significant but that Ali’s actions had already resulted in severe consequences for him.

Ali, of Gardens Crescent, Ravensthorpe, Dewsbury, pleaded guilty to engaging in sexual activity with a child in June 2014. The court sentenced him to 20 weeks in prison and mandated that he register as a sex offender for seven years. Recorder Bryan Cox QC highlighted the seriousness of the case, pointing out the considerable age gap and the grooming behavior involved. He stated that the deliberate effort to persuade the girl to engage in sexual activity over a period of weeks, coupled with the sexually explicit texts sent for that purpose, justified an immediate custodial sentence. The case served as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by online predators and the importance of safeguarding vulnerable young people from exploitation.