Sarath Sivaji

Sarath Sivaji, a 38-year-old PhD student from Newcastle, was sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court for arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sex offence. The married father, originally from India, had arrived in the UK in 2022 to pursue a four-year doctorate at Newcastle University. In February, he turned up at Newcastle Central Station believing he was meeting a 14-year-old boy for penetrative sexual activity, but the profile he had been communicating with was operated by a law enforcement officer as part of a sting operation.

The case began when Sivaji connected with a profile on a dating site that claimed the user was a 20-year-old. The conversation soon shifted to Snapchat, where Sivaji was informed that the individual was actually a sexually experienced 14-year-old boy. Initial messages from Sivaji expressed a desire for 'friends, intimacy, cuddles and kisses', but the exchanges quickly turned more sexual. He offered to show the boy around Newcastle University, emphasising the need to be 'ultra discreet' due to the boy's age. Lengthy discussions followed about the planned meeting, including details on where to go and what they would do.

Upon arriving at the meeting point, police swooped in and arrested Sivaji. Prosecutor Kevin Wardlaw outlined the details to the court, highlighting the progression of the communications. Recorder Tom Moran, presiding over the case, remarked that Sivaji was 'ultimately trying to arrange penetrative sexual activity' and noted, 'You went to what you thought was going to be a meeting with a 14-year-old then you were arrested.' The judge also addressed the context of the supposed child's claims of prior sexual experience, stating that it indicated the boy had already been 'damaged and subject to abuse'.

The court heard mitigating factors, including character references from Sivaji's voluntary roles and a letter from his wife. It was revealed that Sivaji had been drinking excessively at the time of the offences but had since taken steps to address this issue. However, he was suspended from his studies following the arrest, with only nine months left in his programme. Sivaji admitted the charge and was sentenced to 30 months in prison, ordered to sign the sex offenders register, and made subject to a sexual harm prevention order for 15 years.

This case was reported by Chronicle Live, with court proceedings occurring at Newcastle Crown Court in Newcastle upon Tyne.