Child abuser who trolled victim online has 10-year jail term extended

By Henry Clare, Reporter16th September 2019News England, WebwatchChild Abuse, Courts / Justice, News England, Online Abuse, Sexual Abuse, Social Media, Yorkshire

A child abuser already serving a 10-year jail sentence has been handed more than three extra years after a “vindictive campaign of social media trolling” against one of his victims.

Waseem Khaliq, who was convicted at Sheffield Crown Court last month of indecent assault and child abduction, also phoned the National Crime Agency (NCA) from prison to threaten two of their investigating officers, the agency said.

The 35-year-old – who was originally prosecuted as part of the Operation Stovewood investigation into child exploitation in Rotherham between 1997 and 2003 – claimed he knew where one of them lived, and said he hoped they died of cancer or Aids.

Appearing again at Sheffield Crown Court on Monday, he was given a 45-month top-up to his 10-year sentence after admitting three counts of witness intimidation, the NCA said.

Using the false name “Andros Simpson” on Facebook, he pretended to be an investigative journalist looking into what was happening in Rotherham, the NCA said.

A spokesman added that Khaliq (pictured) used the profile to claim his victim was lying and had only agreed to give evidence as she had been offered money and a new house.

Although the account was shut down, similar posts continued to appear on social media websites and only stopped once he was remanded into custody in March.

Despite the online abuse, the victim eventually gave evidence against Khaliq in the latest Operation Stovewood trial, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said.

NCA senior investigating officer Phillip Marshall said: “Through his vindictive campaign of social media trolling, Khaliq only compounded the suffering his victims had already gone through.

“They showed extreme bravery in coming forward and continuing to give evidence despite this, and I once again pay tribute to them.

“Our investigation has been victim-focused throughout, and this conviction demonstrates that we will not tolerate attempts to intimidate victims or our officers who work with them.”

Kate Hurst, from the CPS, said: “Engaging in acts of any kind which are intended to intimidate victims and witnesses in a criminal trial is an offence which strikes at the heart of the criminal justice system.”