Face revealed of 'predatory' groomer who drove from Sheffield to Telford to pick 15-year-old up from school
“There is absolutely no excuse for what he did.”
This is the face of a groomer who drove from Sheffield to pick up a 15-year-old girl from her Shropshire school.
The Shropshire Star revealed earlier this week that Awais Sheikh, 28, was locked up at Shrewsbury Crown Court after being convicted of one count of meeting a child following sexual grooming.
Sheikh, of East Bawtry Road, Rotherham, had denied the charge but was found guilty of the offence following a trial.
The court heard that the groomer had initially approached his victim on social media, eventually visiting her in Telford - where he picked her up from school, bought her McDonald’s, bought cannabis, then took her to a secluded spot on the Wrekin where they were found by police - with condoms discovered in the glove compartment.
Sheikh had contacted the victim on Instagram and Snapchat in the weeks leading up to October 2024. The victim was sent a friend request by Sheikh, but she initially ignored it.
However, she later accepted the request and the pair started to converse - with Sheikh telling her she was “pretty”.
The court was told she had immediately informed the defendant of her age - which was 15 at the time.
Sheikh told her he was 25, although he was in fact 27.
Sheikh eventually drove to meet her, travelling from Sheffield and picking her up near school while she was wearing school uniform.
The court heard he took her to McDonald’s to buy her food and then to a secluded spot near the Wrekin.
The girl was reported missing to police, and was found by officers at the Wrekin, where condoms and cannabis were discovered in the glovebox of Sheikh’s vehicle.
Judge Trevor Meegan, who sentenced Sheikh, revealed that the groomer had even asked the girl for directions to the local mosque so he could go and pray.
He explained that the girl was left in the car while Sheikh went inside.
Following the sentencing Detective Constable Jack Underwood praised the victim’s courage in ensuring a predator was brought to justice.
He said: "Sheikh’s actions were predatory, deliberate and deeply concerning. He travelled across the country with the clear intention of exploiting a child. There is absolutely no excuse for what he did.
"I want to pay tribute to the victim, whose courage throughout both the investigation and the court proceedings has been remarkable. Coming forward and reliving such a frightening experience takes immense strength, and her bravery has been vital in ensuring Sheikh has been brought to justice.
"We remain fully committed to protecting children from harm, identifying those who pose a risk, and working tirelessly to ensure offenders face the consequences of their actions, like Sheikh. This case shows that we will act swiftly and robustly whenever a child is put in danger."