Kashif Mahmood

Kashif Mahmood Sentenced for Grooming and Attempting to Meet Child

A 37-year-old man from Rochdale has been imprisoned for grooming a supposed 13-year-old girl online and attempting to meet her for sexual purposes. Kashif Mahmood, who had no prior convictions, engaged in explicit conversations via Snapchat, falsely claiming to be 25 years old, before being apprehended by police at Manchester Piccadilly station.

The case unfolded when Mahmood began messaging a social media account posing as a teenage girl. According to court proceedings at Minshull Street Crown Court, he initiated contact and quickly escalated to sexual topics, expressing desires to 'kiss and cuddle' and asking if she 'wanted to do other stuff'. He requested her location and arranged a meeting near the station, even sending a train ticket to facilitate it. This occurred in June 2024, with interactions recorded and reported to authorities.

• Mahmood's communications included grooming elements, such as advising the 'girl' not to tell her mother about the meeting.
• On 27 June 2024, police spotted his vehicle at the pickup point and blocked it after he locked himself inside and attempted to delete content from his mobile phone.
• Officers smashed the car window to arrest him, seizing two mobile phones, cash, and discovering two condoms in his back pocket, indicating clear intent for sexual activity.

Prosecutor Peter Malone told the court that the account was linked to Mahmood's address in Rochdale following initial checks. The investigation was handled by the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU), who took over after the interactions were flagged. Detective Constable Adam Cronshaw from NWROCU stated: 'When we arrived to arrest Mahmood, his car was locked, and he was desperately trying to remove content from his mobile phone. We were forced to smash the window and remove him from the vehicle to seize his phone before he could delete any evidence of his actions. When we searched Mahmood, we seized two condoms from his back pocket which clearly demonstrates his intent.'

In mitigation, defence barrister Raj Chopra argued that Mahmood had fallen into depression, was medicated, and described the incident as a 'silly mistake' due to his inexperience with social media, dyslexia, and encouragement from family to use it for social improvement. However, His Honour Judge Jason MacAdam rejected this, stating: 'You described your defending to a probation officer as a silly mistake. That is nonsense. In June, using Snapchat, you communicated with a person that made it clear she was 13 years of age. You groomed her, making reference to the two of you being intimate and arranged to meet at Piccadilly. You claimed you're dyslexic and that a photo made her look older. If all that is the case, then why would you tell her not to tell her mother who she was meeting? When you were arrested you were found to have two condoms in your pocket. The evidence against you is overwhelming from the communications you sent. I concur that you don't take responsibility for your offending. Because you continue to minimise your offending, I cannot accept your claim of being remorseful.'

Mahmood pleaded guilty to attempted sexual communication with a child, arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sex offence, and attempting to meet a child following grooming. The sentencing took place on 10 February 2025 at Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester.