HULL UNIVERSITY SENIOR LECTURER SUNIL SHASTRI CAUGHT IN PAEDOPHILE HUNTING SCAM
In a disturbing case that has shocked the academic community and residents of Hull, a senior lecturer from the University of Hull was caught engaging in inappropriate and illegal online behavior involving a minor.The individual, identified as Sunil Shastri, aged 62, became the subject of an undercover operation conducted by the online child protection team known as ‘Guardians of the North’.
This team, operating under the guise of a 13-year-old girl, posted a fake profile online that included a telephone number, aiming to lure potential offenders.
Shastri, who has been a faculty member at the University of Hull since 1994, held the position of senior lecturer in Biological and Environmental Science.
He was approached by the ‘child’ profile, and he responded via WhatsApp, where he introduced himself simply as ‘Sunil’ and included a winky-face emoji to suggest familiarity or flirtation.
His communication quickly turned inappropriate as he asked the fictitious girl to send explicit images of her body and discussed sexual acts with her.
During the exchanges, Shastri expressed a desire to meet the girl in person, mentioning that he would like to give her a “kiss and a cuddle”.
His messages revealed a clear intent to engage in sexual activity with someone he believed to be a minor.
The conversation was part of an undercover operation designed to catch individuals attempting to exploit minors online.
Following his arrest and subsequent court proceedings, Recorder John Thackray sentenced Shastri to four months in jail.
However, the sentence was suspended for two years, taking into account his background as a “hard-working family man” and the fact that he posed a “very low risk” of reoffending.
The court also acknowledged his remorse for his “disgraceful” conduct.
As part of his sentence, Shastri is required to undergo ten days of rehabilitation and participate in a sex-offenders’ treatment program.
Additionally, he has been ordered to register as a sex offender for a period of seven years, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities to prevent further offenses.
This case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement and child protection agencies to combat online exploitation and protect vulnerable minors from predatory behavior.
