SUKHPAL SIDHU PUPPETEER OF PUDSEY AND BLACKPOOL SEXUAL ABUSE SCANDAL

In October 2015, a disturbing case unfolded involving a businessman from Pudsey who was sentenced to eight years in prison after engaging in a calculated and manipulative campaign of sexual abuse against a teenage girl. The man, identified as Sukhpal Sidhu, 43 years old, exploited the anonymity of the internet to groom his young victim, a 15-year-old girl from Stockport, by posing as a fellow teenager.

Sidhu, a divorced father of two, had previously operated a series of unsuccessful corner shops. His criminal activities began when he created a false online persona, using a pseudonym to connect with the girl on hi5.com, a popular dating website at the time. Under the guise of being a 17-year-old named 'Bal,' he convinced her to meet his supposed 'older cousin,' which was a ruse to lure her into a trap. Police investigations later confirmed that Sidhu and 'Bal' were one and the same, with Sidhu employing multiple aliases to target vulnerable girls on the internet.

Over the course of their online interactions, Sidhu bombarded the girl with numerous text messages and phone calls, gradually building an emotional connection. He professed love for her, a classic grooming tactic designed to manipulate her feelings and lower her defenses. The victim, seduced by his false affection, agreed to sneak out of her home at night to meet him in person. This clandestine meeting took place in March 2013, when Sidhu parked his Ford Mondeo around the corner from her house in Stockport, and they engaged in a series of sexual encounters in his vehicle.

Further evidence of his predatory behavior emerged when Sidhu persuaded the girl to send him an indecent photograph of herself, a clear indication of his escalating exploitation. The case only came to light when the girl’s parents noticed her mobile phone bill had skyrocketed to approximately £200 in just one month. Concerned, they questioned their daughter, who eventually admitted to the inappropriate communications and encounters with Sidhu. The parents promptly contacted the police, leading to a series of investigations.

Authorities conducted a raid on one of Sidhu’s corner shops located in Cleveleys, Blackpool, but he was not present at that time. The following day, police officers visited his residence on Town Street in Pudsey, West Yorkshire, where they made the arrest. During the search, officers discovered hundreds of contact details for girls, including handwritten notes with phone numbers and email addresses, revealing the extent of his grooming network.

Investigators established that Sidhu’s initial contact with the victim was through hi5.com, where he used the alias 'Bal.' He claimed to be 17 years old and persuaded her to meet his 'older cousin,' which was a deception. It is believed that Sidhu used multiple aliases to target and manipulate young girls online, with his victim being just one of many. His journey to meet her involved diverting from his route from Blackpool to Pudsey, passing through Stockport specifically to see her.

Sidhu denied all allegations, maintaining his innocence throughout the trial. However, the court found him guilty of three counts of sexual activity with a child and one count of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. Judge Stuart Driver QC sentenced him to eight years in prison, emphasizing the severity of his crimes. Additionally, Sidhu was ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities.

Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Chris Horsfield of Stockport CID described Sidhu as a ‘devious predator,’ highlighting the manipulative nature of his crimes. He remarked, “At the time, the victim thought she was in love. He sent letters saying he loves her. It was typical grooming.”

Horsfield also expressed regret that the victim’s family, who are described as an ordinary and well-meaning family, were unaware of the signs of grooming until it was too late. The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by online predators and the importance of vigilance in protecting vulnerable young people from exploitation.