Inam Khan, a 37-year-old resident of Troon Crescent in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, was convicted and jailed for a series of sexual offences against children in Sussex and Suffolk. Described by police as a 'dangerous predator', Khan exploited social media platforms such as online chat rooms and Snapchat to target vulnerable young girls, falsely presenting himself as a teenager to gain their trust and manipulate them.
The first incident occurred on 19 September 2022, when Khan travelled from his home to Suffolk to meet a 14-year-old girl he had been grooming online. Upon meeting her, he abducted her to a nearby location and raped her. Police reports also indicate an attempted rape against the same victim. Following these events, officers from Suffolk Police tracked Khan, leading to his arrest on 1 October 2022. He was charged with two counts of rape and one count of attempted rape.
In a similar pattern, Khan targeted a 12-year-old girl in Sussex, again pretending to be 16 years old. He solicited explicit photographs from her under false pretences and, in the early hours of 8 September 2024, drove to her address, bombarding her with messages to coerce her into meeting him. Khan abducted the girl and sexually assaulted her. Six days later, on 14 September 2024, he returned to the area in an unsuccessful attempt to meet her again. These trips covered an estimated 600 miles in total. The offences were reported to Sussex Police, resulting in Khan's arrest on 25 November 2024. He faced charges including assaulting a girl under 13 by touching, taking a child so as to remove her from lawful control, engaging in sexual communications with a child, and meeting a child following grooming. At Brighton Magistrates' Court on 27 November 2024, he was remanded in custody.
Khan's trial commenced on 23 June 2025 at Hove Crown Court and spanned nine days. On 3 July 2025, the jury found him guilty on all counts related to both the Sussex and Suffolk cases. Sentencing occurred on 22 December 2025 at the same court, where Khan received a 19-year custodial sentence, with an additional three years on licence. The case was jointly investigated by Suffolk Constabulary and Sussex Police.
Detective Sergeant Matt Williamson of Suffolk Police stated: 'Inam Khan is a dangerous predator, using social media to identify and then meet vulnerable females, whom he then subjected to sexual assaults. This investigation was a complex and lengthy process, which also involved working jointly with Sussex Constabulary who had identified another victim. Khan’s horrific offending has caused untold suffering to his victims.'
Detective Sergeant Jamie Ashford of Sussex Police added: 'Our thoughts remain firmly with the victims and their families, whose courage in engaging with this investigation has been exceptional. This case highlights the very real dangers posed when children are approached online by individuals intent on grooming and sexual exploitation.'