A 35-year-old man pleaded guilty to seven child sex offences in Harlow after being caught in a vigilante sting targeting paedophiles
Tarek Elshendi Pleads Guilty to Child Sex Offences
Tarek Elshendi, 35, fell for a sting by “vigilante” paedophile hunters, prosecutor Philippa Page stated at Basildon Crown Court on Tuesday, January 6. Elshendi pleaded guilty to seven child sex offences and will be remanded to prison until his sentencing at the end of February.
Judge Richard Conley told Elshendi, “You have admitted now seven offences, all relating to sexual misbehaviour with children.” His words were translated to Elshendi by an Arabic interpreter. The judge added, “These are serious matters, as I’m sure you understand. It seems to me that a substantial term of imprisonment is pretty much inevitable in your case.”
Elshendi pleaded guilty to four counts of attempting sexual communication with a person under the age of 16. Each charge related to a different decoy child. He sent sexual messages to all four via WhatsApp and Facebook.
He also admitted to attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming and two charges of arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sexual offence. All seven crimes occurred within two-and-a-half weeks in August last year.
He was arrested when he traveled from his home in Moseley Road, Birmingham, to Harlow, intending to meet an underage girl. Upon arrival, he was confronted by vigilante paedophile hunters, who had called the police and were broadcasting his arrival online.
Mrs. Page noted, “There are multiple intended victims.” She added, “When the arrest is live streamed on Facebook, there is a flood of other vigilante groups who report his activities – so of course, that must give rise to serious concerns.”
Mitigating barrister Jessica Peck mentioned that her client had been informed he would likely serve 30% of any prison sentence before being deported back to Egypt. She stated that he would not contest this, as “he wants to return as soon as possible.”
Judge Conley ordered a probation pre-sentence report. He told Elshendi, “It is really to address the risk of further offences and whether or not you are someone who should be treated as a dangerous offender, rather than it being to consider any alternatives to custody – particularly given that you have already indicated to me through your barrister that you intend to seek voluntary repatriation to Egypt.”
His sentencing is scheduled for February 24.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Tarek Elshendi |
| Age | 35 |
| Court | Basildon Crown Court |
| Date of Hearing | January 6 |
| Offences | Seven child sex offences |
| Sentencing Date | February 24 |
| Location of Arrest | Harlow |
| Home Location | Moseley Road, Birmingham |
