Sarath Savaji

Sarath Savaji, a 38-year-old man from Newcastle, was sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court for attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and arranging or facilitating sexual activity with a child. The case stemmed from a proactive investigation by the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU), which uncovered Savaji's online interactions in February 2025.

In February 2025, Savaji initiated inappropriate communications with an individual he believed to be a 14-year-old boy, engaging in explicit conversations and arranging to meet in Newcastle for sexual purposes. Unbeknownst to him, the 'child' was an undercover police officer posing online as part of a targeted operation to identify and apprehend child sexual predators. Officers from NEROCU monitored the exchanges closely, gathering substantial evidence of Savaji's intentions and actions.

Upon arriving at the arranged meeting location in Newcastle, Savaji was arrested by waiting officers. He was charged shortly thereafter with attempt to engage in sexual communication with a child and attempt to arrange or facilitate sexual activity with a child. Savaji, residing at Knoll Court in Newcastle, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court where he entered guilty pleas to all charges.

On 12 November 2025, Savaji was sentenced to two years and six months' imprisonment. In addition to his custodial sentence, he was ordered to sign the sex offenders register and comply with a sexual harm prevention order for 15 years. The court proceedings highlighted the comprehensive evidence compiled by NEROCU, which included digital records of the communications and the planned meeting.

Detective Constable Lee Robertson, from NEROCU, commented on the case: 'Savaji made his vile desires very clear, and the overwhelming evidence collated by officers secured this sentence and ensured another dangerous predator is off the streets.' This operation underscores ongoing police efforts to safeguard children from online sexual exploitation, with NEROCU playing a key role in the North East region.