Major Police Operation Leads to Multiple Charges
Seven men have been formally charged with more than forty offences following a comprehensive investigation into child sexual exploitation in Bristol. The alleged crimes 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 reports of group-based sexual abuse within the city commenced in late 2023. The suspects were initially arrested in April 2024 and released on bail, but were detained again yesterday. They are scheduled to appear at Bristol Magistrates' Court this morning.
Details of the Accused and Their Charges
The seven individuals facing charges, five of whom have been publicly named, are all from Bristol. The charges encompass a range of serious offences.
Mohamed Arafe, 19 (Syrian), faces six counts of child sexual exploitation, one count of sexual assault, and two charges related to supplying cocaine and ecstasy.
Sina Omari, 20 (Iranian), is charged with two counts of rape, five counts of child sexual exploitation, two counts of making an indecent photo of a child, and two counts of supplying cocaine and ecstasy.
Wadie Sharaf, 21 (Syrian), has been charged with 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), faces a single charge of rape.
Mohammed Kurdi, 21 (British), is charged with two counts of rape, two counts of child sexual exploitation, and two counts related to the supply of ecstasy and cannabis.
Additionally, an unnamed 19-year-old man faces four counts of rape, one count of child sexual exploitation, one count of distributing an indecent photo of a child, and two counts of supplying cocaine and ecstasy. An unnamed 26-year-old man is charged with two counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.
Community Response and Ongoing Efforts
Authorities have emphasised that safeguarding measures and support are in place for the victims. Superintendent Deepak Kenth stated that the charges would be a "huge shock to our communities" but reassured the public that police are working "tirelessly" to combat child sexual exploitation in Bristol.
He detailed proactive measures, saying, "We've held events in Bristol city centre and continue to work with hotels, taxi drivers, and other businesses, to raise awareness about the signs of exploitation and the need to report any concerns or issues to the police."
This case emerges against the backdrop of a national context, as the government's grooming gangs inquiry continues its search for a chairperson acceptable to survivors. This wider inquiry was announced in June to investigate the sexual exploitation of white girls by gangs of mainly south Asian men.
