Seven men have been charged with alleged offenses against 11 teenage girls as part of an investigation into what police in Bristol have called ‘group-based child sexual exploitation’.
The men are accused of more than forty crimes between 2022 and this year. The investigation began in November 2023 after concerns were raised about the sexual exploitation of a teenage girl.
The men appeared at Bristol District Court on Wednesday. The girls were in their mid to late teens at the time of the alleged incidents.
Avon and Somerset Police said the men:
Mohamed Arafe, 19, from Speedwell in Bristol. He has been charged with five counts of arranging or facilitating the sexual exploitation of a child, one of causing or inciting the sexual exploitation of a child, one of sexual assault, one of involvement in the supply of cocaine and a further charge of involvement in the supply of ecstasy.
Sina Omari, 20, from fishing ponds in Bristol. He has been charged with two counts of rape, four counts of arranging or facilitating the sexual exploitation of a child, one of causing or inciting the sexual exploitation of a child, two counts of taking an indecent photograph of a child, one of being concerned in the supply of cocaine and a further charge of being concerned in the supply of ecstasy.
Wadie Sharaf, 21, from Redland, Bristol. He has been charged with one count of rape, one count of attempted rape, three counts of sexual assault and another count of sexual activity with a child.
Hussain Bashar, 19, from Southmead, Bristol. He has been charged with one count of rape.
Mohammed Kurdi, 21, from Henbury, Bristol. He has been charged with two counts of rape, two counts of arranging or facilitating the sexual exploitation of a child, one count of supplying ecstasy and a further charge of supplying cannabis.
A 19-year-old man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been charged with four counts of rape: one of arranging or facilitating the sexual exploitation of a child, one of distributing an indecent photograph of a child, one of involvement in the supply of cocaine and a further count of involvement in the supply of ecstasy.
A 26-year-old man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been charged with two counts of rape and one of sexual assault.
DCI Tom Herbert, the senior investigating officer in the case, said: “This remains a complex and sensitive investigation with the protection of young girls from exploitation and disruptive criminal offenses at its heart.”
Supt Deepak Kenth said: “Working with our partner agencies, we have held events in Bristol city center and continue to work with hotels, taxi drivers and other businesses to raise awareness of the signs of exploitation and the need to report any concerns or issues to police.”
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