Predatory sex beast gets six years for Bradford grooming

Repeat offender Akif Ali, 24, targeted his 15-year-old victim over a period of months before meeting up with her and sexually assaulting her at a location in Bradford.

Ali, who is already a registered sex offender, was also convicted of exposing himself to a 16-year-old Asian girl in Horton Park, in the city, when he appeared at Bradford Crown Court.

Following his sentence on Tuesday, Detective Inspector Vanessa Smith, of the Bradford District Safeguarding Unit, said: “I would like to thank the victims and their families for coming forward and reporting Ali’s crimes to the police.

“We are pleased with the sentence he has received and hope it will bring them some comfort.

“West Yorkshire Police is committed to investigating all reports of sexual abuse, including online grooming, and we hope that this conviction will encourage other victims to come foward.

“All reports will be investigated sensitively and thoroughly by specially trained officers, with the aim of securing a conviction against offenders.”

Ali, of Bradford, was also given four years extended licence and a comprehensive Sex Offender Prevention Order after pleading guilty to four sexual offences.