Predator who had sex chats with 'Freya, 13' snared in sting
Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard how the 40-year-old sent hundreds of messages to the decoy over both Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp. His grooming was described as 'patient and calculated', repeatedly steering the conversation towards sexual topics through innuendo.
Prosecutor Anthony Longworth described the sickening exchange: 'Police went to Haywood Street where the defendant was being confronted by the paedophile hunter group STOP UK at his father's address. They revealed that Khan had believed he was talking to a 13-year-old girl called Freya Smith.
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'Messages demonstrated that Khan knew her age. He asked to see videos of the girl. He told her he loved her cherry lips. He also told her it was a shame that she didn't have Snapchat, as people are generally more comfortable sending pictures on that platform.
'He asked the decoy if she shaved her pubic hair. He said he shaved his pubic hair and sent a picture of his pubic region.'
Khan, of Galloway Road, Bentilee, gave a 'no comment' interview when quizzed by police after his arrest. He later pleaded guilty to one count of engaging in sexual communications with a child.
Stuart Muldoon, mitigating, argued that Khan's grooming was the misguided result of frequent cannabis use. He said: 'He didn't ask to see any sexually explicit images, but he did ask to see more than the girl's profile picture.
'He is fully aware of the position he's put himself in. Despite trying to excuse his behaviour in his initial pre-sentence report, he now accepts there are no excuses for this type of behaviour.
'He has been clean from cannabis for nine months now. While he is not in employment at the moment, he spends much time volunteering to help in his local community. He has recently completed courses at Burslem College. He hopes to become a self-employed tradesman.'
Khan was slapped with a 10-month suspended sentence, along with 100 hours of unpaid labour. He was also handed a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
Judge Richard McConaghy told him: 'Your grooming behaviour was slow and deliberate. You made use of innuendo and sexualised imagery, although you never explicitly asked for any sexual content. You kept talking about taking a bath, whether it was you or her. You asked her about school.
'I do, however, take the view that there is a real chance of rehabilitation in your case. In the interest of justice, I believe having you engage with the probation service is the best course of action at this time.'
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