Abdullah Shahnamy

Abdullah Shahnamy, a 44-year-old man from Reading, Berkshire, was convicted of serious sexual offences after using a fake profile on the dating app Grindr to deceive and assault his victim. Posing as a 26-year-old man, Shahnamy arranged to meet the victim, leading to an attack in their car where he committed rape and sexual assault.

The case came to light following Shahnamy's arrest in February 2024, with charges filed on 1 March 2024. At Reading Crown Court, he was found guilty of one count of rape, one count of sexual assault, and three counts of sexual activity without consent. The sentencing took place in December 2024, where Judge [name not specified] imposed a custodial sentence of nine-and-a-half years.

In addition to the prison term, Shahnamy was ordered to be included on the sex offenders register for life and received a 20-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order to restrict his future behaviour and protect the public. The prosecution was handled by Thames Valley Police, who highlighted the victim's bravery in supporting the investigation.

Det Con Hailey Goodwin, of Thames Valley Police, stated: "The victim in this case has shown immense bravery throughout this investigation and we thank him for his continued support. Abdullah Shahnamy's conviction is a testament to our commitment to bring sexual offenders to justice and to make our streets a safe place for everyone." This case underscores the dangers of online deception in facilitating sexual crimes, with authorities emphasising ongoing efforts to combat such offences in the region.