Blackburn Groomer Jailed for Trying to Exploit 'Underage Girls'
Predator Caught in Online Sting
Suleman Mahmood, 28, from Blackburn has been locked up after attempting to groom girls he believed were just 13 and 14 years old. The twisted predator asked for explicit images and sent highly sexual messages to what were actually police decoys.
Undercover Operation Exposes Mahmood
The Online Child Abuse Activist Group (OCAAG) posed as young girls and confronted Mahmood. On September 20, 2019, officers swooped on his home in Dukes Brow and arrested him on the spot. He admitted, “I will be honest. I made a huge blunder. I had no plans to meet them. I just wanted to meet new people. I was aware they were underage.”
Despite the confession, Mahmood refused to answer questions during his police interview.
Lengthy Investigation Leads to Guilty Plea
Detectives found Mahmood knowingly sent explicit messages and encouraged sexual activity with the children, based on evidence gathered between September 2 and September 10, 2019. He was charged in September 2020 with multiple child sex offences.
In April this year, Mahmood pleaded guilty ahead of his court date. Last week, Preston Crown Court sentenced him to five years and eight months behind bars. He’s also been placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life and slapped with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order restricting his internet use and contact with minors.
Police Praise Sting and Promise Continued Action
“Mahmood is a sexual predator who targeted underage girls,” said Detective Claire Scott of East CID. “He truly believed he was chatting to real children, yet pressed on with his vile behaviour. The sentence reflects the serious risk he posed. We will closely monitor him after release.”
“Thanks to OCAAG for their vital help. Anyone worried about suspicious behaviour should report it to the police. We are committed to hunting down predators and protecting children.”
