ONE man from Fishponds and another from Speedwell are among seven appearing in court today charged with sex offences against children.
Sina Omari, aged 20, of Fishponds, 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.
Mohamed Arafe, 19, of Speedwell, 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 one of being concerned in the supply of ecstasy.
The charges date from between 2022 and 2025 and relate to 11 children, who were in their mid to late teens at the time of the allegations.
They follow an investigation into what police described as “group-based child sexual exploitation in Bristol”, which started two years ago after concerns were raised about the sexual exploitation of a teenage girl.
The other men are:
Wadie Sharaf, 21, of Redland, who is charged with one count of rape, one count of attempted rape, three counts of sexual assault, and one of sexual activity with a child.
Hussain Bashar, 19, of Southmead, charged with one count of rape.
Mohammed Kurdi, 21, of Henbury, who is charged with two counts of rape, two counts of arranging or facilitating the sexual exploitation of a child, one count of supplying ecstasy and one of supplying cannabis.
A 19-year-old man, who has not been named for legal reasons, who is charged with four counts of rape, one of arranging or facilitating the sexual exploitation of a child, one of distributing an indecent photograph of a child, one 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 also can’t be named for legal reasons, has been charged with two counts of rape and one of sexual assault.
Police publish ethnicity information
Police have published ethnicity and nationality information on the men in line with new government guidelines.
They say Omari is Iranian and his “self-defined ethnicity” is Arab, Arafe is Syrian and Arab, Sharaf is Syrian and Arab, Bashar is British and defines his ethnicity as ‘any other’, and Kurdi is British and Arab.
Police say the men were initially arrested in April last year as part of a “day of action” and released on bail to allow enquiries to take place.
They were re-arrested yesterday and are set to appear at Bristol Magistrates’ Court this morning.
‘A huge shock’
Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Tom Herbert 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.”
He said “the most appropriate safeguarding measures and support” has been made available to each victim.
Bristol superintendent Deepak Kenth said: “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.”
Deputy chief crown prosecutor James Bolton-Smith 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.”
He warned people not to share comments or information online that could prejudice the court proceedings.
A dedicated appeal page has been set up on the Major Incident Public Portal for anyone with information about the incidents to pass it on to the investigation team.