Major Police Operation Leads to Multiple Charges
Seven men are facing more than 40 criminal charges following a significant investigation into child sexual exploitation in Bristol. The alleged offences targeted eleven teenagers and occurred between 2022 and 2025, when the victims were in their mid to late teens.
Police confirmed that an investigation into claims of group-based sexual abuse in the city began in late 2023. The seven suspects were initially arrested in April 2024 and released on bail, but were detained again yesterday ahead of their scheduled appearance at Bristol Magistrates' Court this morning.
Detailed Breakdown of Charges
The men charged include five named individuals and two who cannot be named for legal reasons. All five named defendants are from Bristol.
Mohamed Arafe, 19, (Syrian) faces six child sexual exploitation charges, one count of sexual assault, and two counts relating to supplying cocaine and ecstasy.
Sina Omari, 20, (Iranian) is charged with two counts of rape, five child sexual exploitation charges, two counts of making indecent photos of children, and two counts over supplying cocaine and ecstasy.
Wadie Sharaf, 21, (Syrian) faces one count of rape, one count of attempted rape, three counts of sexual assault, and one count of sexual activity with a child.
Hussain Bashar, 19, (British) has been charged with one count of rape.
Mohammed Kurdi, 21, (British) faces two counts of rape, two child sexual exploitation charges, and two counts relating to supplying ecstasy and cannabis.
An unnamed 19-year-old man faces four counts of rape, one child sexual exploitation charge, one count of distributing an indecent photo of a child, and two counts over supplying cocaine and ecstasy.
An unnamed 26-year-old man has been charged with two counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.
Community Impact and Ongoing Support
Superintendent Deepak Kenth described the charges as representing a "huge shock to our communities" and emphasised that police are working tirelessly to combat child sexual exploitation in the city.
Officers have confirmed that safeguarding measures and support services have been made available to the victims affected by these alleged crimes.
This case emerges as the national grooming gangs inquiry continues to seek a chairperson acceptable to survivors. The inquiry, which focuses on the sexual exploitation of white girls by gangs of mainly south Asian men, was announced in June following a government U-turn.
