Blackburn Man Jailed for Grooming ‘Girls’ Online
A Blackburn man has been locked up for nearly six years after trying to groom girls he believed were just 13 and 14 years old. Suleman Mahmood, 28, bombarded the “girls” with explicit messages and asked for indecent images.
Gotcha! Online Child Abuse Hunters Nab Groomer
Mahmood was actually chatting with undercover agents from the Online Child Abuse Activist Group (OCAAG). On September 20, 2019, officers raided his Dukes Brow home and arrested him. Mahmood admitted on the spot, saying, “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 this admission, he refused to answer questions during police interviews.
Heavy Sentence for Child Groomer
Evidence showed Mahmood knowingly sent highly sexual messages to what he thought were underage girls between September 2 and 10, 2019. The Crown Prosecution Service charged him a year later with multiple offences, including attempting sexual communication with children and inciting sexual activity.
Mahmood pleaded guilty in April this year ahead of his May court date. Last week, Judge Graham Knowles QC sentenced him to five years and eight months behind bars. Mahmood was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life and slapped with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order restricting his internet use and contact with children.
Police Praise Vigilantes, Warn the Public
“Mahmood is a sexual predator who targeted underage girls,” said Detective Constable Claire Scott of East CID. “He thought he was talking to real children and still carried on. The sentence reflects the serious threat he poses. He will be closely monitored after release.”
“Thanks to OCAAG for their vital help. We urge anyone with concerns about child abuse to contact police immediately. We will act swiftly to catch and convict offenders.”
