Awais Sheikh, a 28-year-old man from Rotherham, was sentenced at Shrewsbury Crown Court on 13 April 2026 for the sexual grooming of a minor. The case, investigated by West Mercia Police, centred on Sheikh's predatory online interactions with a 15-year-old schoolgirl from Telford, Shropshire.
The grooming began in October 2024 when Sheikh contacted the victim via social media platforms Snapchat and Instagram. He falsely presented himself as 25 years old to appear closer in age to the teenager. Initially, the girl ignored his friend request, but upon accepting it, she immediately disclosed that she was 15. Undeterred, Sheikh persisted in messaging her, offering compliments on her appearance to build rapport and exploit her vulnerability.
- Sheikh's communications were deliberate and manipulative, aimed at establishing trust with the underage victim.
- Over the following weeks, he escalated his efforts, planning an in-person meeting.
On an unspecified date in late 2024 or early 2025, Sheikh drove from his home in Yorkshire to Telford to collect the girl directly from outside her school. He then took her to a McDonald's restaurant before proceeding to a secluded area near the Wrekin, a prominent hill in Shropshire. The girl's disappearance was promptly reported to police by concerned parties, leading to a swift search operation.
Officers located the victim and Sheikh at the Wrekin, where a search of his vehicle revealed condoms and cannabis in the glovebox, indicating his intentions. Sheikh was arrested at the scene and subsequently charged with meeting a child following sexual grooming under UK law.
During the court hearing at Shrewsbury Crown Court, the prosecution detailed the full extent of Sheikh's actions, highlighting the predatory nature of his behaviour. The judge imposed a custodial sentence of 22 months for the grooming offence, with an additional two months consecutively for breaching an existing suspended sentence, resulting in a total of two years' imprisonment. Sheikh was also ordered to be added to the sex offenders register for 10 years.
Detective Constable Jack Underwood of West Mercia Police commented on the case: "Sheikh’s actions were predatory, deliberate and deeply concerning. He travelled across the country with the clear intention of exploiting a child. There is absolutely no excuse for what he did." Underwood praised the victim's courage, noting her bravery in coming forward and reliving the experience during the investigation and trial. The case underscores West Mercia Police's commitment to child protection, as stated by Underwood: "We remain fully committed to protecting children from harm, identifying those who pose a risk, and working tirelessly to ensure offenders face the consequences of their actions, like Sheikh."
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of online grooming, with authorities emphasising robust action against such offences in the West Midlands region.