Seven men have been charged with more than 40 offences against 11 teenage victims after an investigation into an alleged grooming gang in Bristol.
The suspects include two Syrians, one Iranian, two British nationals and two men – aged 19 and 26 – who police have not been identified for legal reasons.
An investigation began in November 2023 after concerns were raised about the sexual exploitation of a teenage girl.
The alleged victims were aged in their mid to late teens at the time of the alleged offences.
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 men were re-arrested on Tuesday in a police operation in Bristol and will appear at Bristol Magistrates’ Court today.
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.’
The Crown Prosecution Service has now authorised the following charges against seven men:
- Mohamed Arafe, a 19-year-old Syrian, is charged with five counts of arranging or facilitating the sexual exploitation of a child, two more sex offence offences and two drugs offences;
- Another Syrian, 21-year-old Wadie Sharaf is 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;
- Iranian Sina Omari, 20, is charged with two counts of rape and seven further sex offence counts alongside drugs charges;
- Hussain Bashar, 19, who is British and self-defines his ethnicity is ‘any other’ faces one count of rape;
- Mohammed Kurdi, 21, who is British and defines his ethnicity as Arab is charged with two counts of rape, two sex offences and two drugs offences;
- A 19-year-old man, who has not been named for legal reasons, is charged with four counts of rape, two sex offences and two drugs offences;
- A 26-year-old man, who also cannot be named for legal reasons, is charged with two counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.
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 Crown Prosecution Service’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 any way prejudice these proceedings.’
