Locations
Carlton Grove, Southwark, London, SE15
Description
A man who groomed a child before sexually abusing them has been jailed.
Ayoob Lakhani, 53, of Carlton Grove, Southwark, London, was sentenced to four counts of sexual activity with a child and one count of meeting a child following grooming at Bristol Crown Court on Friday 4 September.
He was sentenced to nine years in prison with an extended three-year licence, has been handed a 15-year restraining order and ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register after he was convicted by a jury following a trial at the same court in June.
The offences are non-recent and involved Lakhani investing “significant time and money” into grooming the victim before the sexual offences were committed against him.
Lakhani met his victim online and claimed he believed them to be over 16, despite being told what school they attended.
He then sent them money for lunch and school books before carrying out the sexual offences.
A victim statement read on behalf of the victim in court said:
“My anxiety is so bad from this whole situation that on days where I feel really anxious, I can’t even leave the house.
“This has impacted me so much financially as I can’t even go to work or do anything. I receive PIP to help me, but I would rather be working. I can’t go to work as I get physically sick from being so anxious.
“Emotionally, I am so drained. I used to get so upset and cry about it but now I can’t even do that. I can’t cry anymore as I feel numb as I have had this on my mind for so many years, It’s just horrible.”
DC Owen Folland, from our Criminal Investigations Department (CID), said:
“The defendant preyed upon a vulnerable child, investing significant time and money into grooming him before committing sexual offences.
“Even when confronted with overwhelming evidence, he refused to accept responsibility. Instead, he attempted to shift the blame onto a teenage boy, never once acknowledging the harm he caused.
“This conviction sends a clear message that those who groom and sexually exploit children will be identified, investigated and put before the courts. We remain committed to safeguarding young people and ensuring offenders are held accountable for the harm they cause. I would also like to pay tribute to the victim, whose bravery and resilience have been instrumental in securing this outcome.”