A man who groomed a girl over Snapchat and Instagram before turning up outside her school has been jailed. Awais Sheikh, 28, of East Bawtry Road, Rotherham, drove from Sheffield to Shropshire to meet the youngster after contacting her online.
He was sentenced at Shrewsbury Crown Court on Monday (April 13) after he was found guilty of meeting a child following sexual grooming. Det Cons Jack Underwood said: “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.”
The court heard how Sheikh first contacted the girl on social media in October 2024. West Mercia Police said the girl initially ignored his friend request, but eventually relented.
Sheikh lied about his age at that time, saying he was 25 when he was 27. When the girl told him she was 15 he continued to pester and try to flatter her.
Soon after contacting her online, Sheikh drove from Sheffield to Telford where he met the girl outside school.
He took her to a McDonald’s before driving to a secluded spot near The Wrekin, a hill in Shropshire. When officers descended on Sheikh’s car after the girl was reported missing they found condoms and cannabis in his glovebox.
The paedo was arrested and charged with meeting a child following sexual grooming for which he was sentenced to 22 months in prison.
He was given two more months to run consecutively for activating an existing suspended sentence, according to West Mercia Police. The judge also ordered his name be added to the sex offenders register for 10 years.
After sentencing, Det Cons Underwood praised the girl, saying: “[Her] courage throughout both the investigation and the court proceedings has been remarkable.
“Coming forward and reliving such a frightening experience takes immense strength and her bravery has been vital in ensuring Sheikh has been brought to justice.”
He said the force remains 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.
The officer added: “This case shows that we will act swiftly and robustly whenever a child is put in danger.”