Qumar Shah

A Bradford man who attempted to meet a 13-year-old girl after sexually grooming her online was sentenced at Bradford Crown Court to a two-year prison term suspended for two years.

Qumar Shah, 31, of Ringwood Avenue in Little Horton, admitted offences of attempting to meet a child after sexual grooming and attempting to cause a child to watch a sexual act. The court heard that Shah had been “caught red-handed” by a paedophile hunter group which had created a decoy profile posing as a 13-year-old girl. Shah had lied about his age and “done all he could” to meet up with the child, Judge Richard Gioserano said.

The judge expressed frustration that it had taken over 18 months for Shah to be charged, meaning he appeared for sentence more than two years after the online sex chat. “I do not understand for the life of me what work there was for the police to do. Why it took over 18 months to charge you is beyond me,” Judge Gioserano remarked.

In mitigation, barrister Laura McBride said Shah was “deeply ashamed” of his behaviour and described being disgusted with himself. The court heard that after the hunter group posted footage of Shah’s arrest on social media, he was ostracised and received threats, losing the few friends he had.

Judge Gioserano considered a psychological report which indicated that Shah suffered from a mild intellectual disability and an autistic spectrum condition, which contributed to his social isolation and loneliness. However, the judge stressed that this did not excuse the offending.

Alongside the suspended prison sentence, Shah was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work and attend up to 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days. He must also register as a sex offender with the police for ten years and comply with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for the same period.

The case was prosecuted by West Yorkshire Police.