Abu Sumel

Abu Sumel, a 23-year-old teacher at a mosque in the Bradford area, has been sentenced to over three years in prison following his involvement in an online grooming case that came to light through the efforts of a paedophile hunter group. The incident, which occurred in December 2021, highlights the dangers of online predation and the role of vigilant community groups in bringing offenders to justice.

Bradford Crown Court heard that Sumel, who held a position of responsibility at the mosque, engaged in online communications with what he believed to be a 14-year-old schoolgirl for more than two months starting in 2021. The 'girl' was in fact a decoy operated by the paedophile hunter group. Prosecutor Alisha Kaye detailed the explicit nature of the messaging, noting that Sumel repeatedly demanded photographs of the decoy, escalating his inappropriate requests over time. Sumel planned to meet the teenager in Shipley and even offered to pay for an Uber to transport her to his home, demonstrating clear intent to carry out a sexual offence.

On the arranged meeting date in December 2021, Sumel arrived at the location in Shipley, West Yorkshire, where he was confronted by members of the paedophile hunter group. The group, known for monitoring and exposing individuals attempting to groom minors online, immediately alerted the authorities. West Yorkshire Police were involved in the subsequent investigation, which uncovered the full extent of Sumel's communications and plans. The court was told that Sumel's role at the mosque placed him in a position of trust, making his actions particularly egregious.

Sentencing Sumel on Thursday at Bradford Crown Court, the judge emphasised the predatory nature of his behaviour and the potential harm to vulnerable children. Sumel was charged with attempting to meet a child following grooming, an offence under UK law aimed at protecting minors from sexual exploitation. The case underscores the effectiveness of community-led initiatives in conjunction with police operations, such as West Yorkshire Police's efforts against child sex offences.

Images released by West Yorkshire Police show Sumel following his arrest, serving as a stark reminder of the consequences faced by those who engage in such criminal activities. This sentencing serves as a deterrent to others contemplating similar offences.