Seven men charged in child sexual exploitation investigation

Seven men have been charged with more than 40 offences against 11 teenage victims in an investigation into group-based child sexual exploitation in Bristol.

Avon and Somerset Police said the alleged offences date from between 2022 and 2025.

The men were re-arrested on Tuesday in a police operation in Bristol and will appear at Bristol Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday morning.

Avon and Somerset Police said: “It follows an investigation which began in November 2023 after concerns were raised about the sexual exploitation of a teenage girl.

“In April 2024, initial arrests were made as part of a day of action in the city. Those arrested were released on bail to allow enquiries to take place, with a dedicated team working to identify and investigate offences.”

The charges relate to 11 victims in total, who were aged in their mid to late teens at the time of the alleged offences.

Syrian national Mohamed Arafe, 19, of Speedwell in Bristol, has been charged with five counts of arranging or facilitating the sexual exploitation of a child, one count of causing or inciting the sexual exploitation of a child, one count of sexual assault, one count of being concerned in the supply of cocaine and a further count of being concerned in the supply of ecstasy.

Iranian national Sina Omari, 20, of Fishponds in Bristol, has been charged with two counts of rape, four counts of arranging or facilitating the sexual exploitation of a child, one count of causing or inciting the sexual exploitation of a child, two counts of making an indecent photograph of a child, one count of being concerned in the supply of cocaine and a further count of being concerned in the supply of ecstasy.

Syrian national Wadie Sharaf, 21, of Redland in Bristol, has been charged with one count of rape, one count of attempted rape, three counts of sexual assault, and a further count of sexual activity with a child.

British national Hussain Bashar, 19, of Southmead in Bristol, has been charged with one count of rape.

British national Mohammed Kurdi, 21, of Henbury in Bristol, has been charged with two counts of rape, two counts of arranging or facilitating the sexual exploitation of a child, one count of supplying a class A drug (ecstasy) and a further count of supplying a class B drug (cannabis).

A 19-year-old man, who police are unable to name for legal reasons, has been charged with four counts of rape, one count of arranging or facilitating the sexual exploitation of a child, one count of distributing an indecent photograph of a child, one count of being concerned in the supply of cocaine and a further count of being concerned in the supply of ecstasy.

A 26-year-old man, who police are unable to name for legal reasons, has been charged with two counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.

Detective Chief Inspector Tom Herbert, the senior investigating officer, said: “This remains a complex and sensitive investigation which has the protection of young girls from exploitation and the disruption of offending at its very heart.

“Working with our partners, we’ve ensured the most appropriate safeguarding measures and support has been made available to each victim to protect them from harm.

“Officers have been working around the clock to identify potential offences and we’ve worked extremely closely with the CPS to reach this highly significant stage.”

Bristol Superintendent Deepak Kenth said: “Neighbourhood officers have been supporting the investigation since these offences were first identified.

“We know this update will be a huge shock to our communities and I want to reassure everyone that we’ll continue to work tirelessly to protect children from abuse and exploitation.

“Working with our partner agencies, 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.

“We’ll be carrying out reassurance patrols in the city and urge anyone with worries or concerns to speak to one of our officers.”

James Bolton-Smith, deputy chief crown prosecutor and lead of the CPS’s Organised Child Sexual Abuse Unit, said: “The Crown Prosecution Service has decided to prosecute seven men following a police investigation into group-based child sexual exploitation in Bristol.

“Our prosecutors have worked to establish that there is sufficient evidence to charge and that it is in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings.

“We have worked closely with Avon and Somerset Police as they carried out their investigation.

“We remind all concerned that proceedings against the suspects are active and they have a right to a fair trial.

“It is vital that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in anyway prejudice these proceedings.”