Arpitkumar Ashwinkumar Barot, a 29-year-old Indian national who arrived in the UK in 2022 on a student visa, was convicted at Lewes Crown Court on 23 January 2023 of arranging or facilitating sexual activity with a child. At the time of sentencing, his address was listed as Gossops Parade in Crawley, West Sussex.
The offence stemmed from Barot's response to an online advertisement on an escort website that also offered arrangements for sex with underage children. He exchanged a series of messages and made two telephone calls to arrange a meeting, agreeing to pay £90 for oral sex without a condom. Barot arrived at the agreed venue with £100 in cash, where he was arrested by undercover police officers who had posed as the child in the sting operation.
During sentencing, the judge noted that images found on Barot's mobile phone, although not unlawful in themselves, indicated an interest in school-age girls. Barot was sentenced to 17 months' imprisonment, suspended for two years, and ordered to complete a 35-day rehabilitation activity programme. The court documents, as reported by The Argus, highlighted the seriousness of the offence, even though no actual child was involved, as it contributed to sustaining a market for the sexual exploitation of children.
Following his conviction, Barot applied in November 2023 for leave to remain in the UK under the graduate route. The Home Office refused the application in January 2024, determining that the conviction constituted a criminal offence causing 'serious harm' under paragraph 9.4.1(c) of the Immigration Rules. An administrative review upheld this decision in February 2024.
Barot, along with his wife Khyatiben Sudhirbhal Barot whose UK status depended on his, sought a judicial review of the refusal. However, the claim was filed seven days after the three-month deadline, and a judge refused to extend time on 31 January 2025, stating there was no good reason for the delay and that the case, while arguable, was not strong enough to warrant an extension.
A subsequent appeal to the Court of Appeal was filed three days late. On 4 March 2026, Lord Justice Lewis, sitting with Lord Justice Baker and Lord Justice Zacaroli, dismissed the appeal and refused to extend time. The court emphasised that demanding sex with children, even from a decoy, 'helps sustain a market for the exploitation of children for sexual exploitation' and contributes to 'a widespread problem that causes serious harm to society', as per Home Office guidance. Barot's argument that no actual harm occurred because only an undercover officer was involved was rejected.