Mohammed Sahinur

Mohammed Sahinur, a 29-year-old man from Watford, was arrested by officers from Hertfordshire Constabulary in June 2022 as part of an operation targeting offenders who exploit vulnerable children online via social media platforms.

Sahinur had been engaging in predatory behaviour since 2021, specifically targeting girls as young as 11. He groomed them by encouraging the sending of sexual photographs and resorted to threats when they resisted, warning that he would share the images with their families or others to coerce compliance. His actions extended beyond online exploitation; he arranged to meet at least one victim in person, where he committed physical sexual abuse.

Following his initial arrest on suspicion of sexual communication with a child, authorities seized all of Sahinur's electronic devices. This investigation uncovered additional victims and a broader pattern of offences. He was charged with a total of 15 counts, including sexual communication with a child, eight offences of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, four offences of causing a child to watch a sexual act, sexual assault of a child under 13, and rape of a child under 13.

Sahinur was remanded in custody and stood trial at St Albans Crown Court from 30 January 2023 to 3 February 2023. He was found guilty on all charges. On 3 November 2023, he returned to the same court for sentencing, where he received a custodial term of 11 years and 6 months.

Detective Sergeant Jim Miller from the Child Online Safeguarding Team commented on the case: "Not only did Sahinur groom vulnerable young girls via social media, he also met up with one victim so he could physically abuse her as well. To make sure these young girls continued to supply him with indecent images he threatened them, telling them he would tell other family members or share the images further. This behaviour has had a very detrimental impact on the mental wellbeing of these young girls." The investigation highlights ongoing efforts by Hertfordshire Constabulary to identify and prosecute individuals engaging in child sexual exploitation.