Snapchat 'predator' jailed for abusing teens

A "dangerous predator" who drove hundreds of miles to abuse children he groomed online has been jailed for 19 years after a joint investigation by two police forces.

Inam Khan, 37, of Wellingborough in Northamptonshire, targeted a 14-year-old girl from Suffolk and a 12-year-old girl in Sussex.

Khan was convicted of multiple offences, including rape and attempted rape, after a trial at Hove Crown Court in June, and was sentenced at the same court on Monday.

Det Sgt Matt Williamsom of Suffolk Police, said Khan's "horrific offending has caused untold suffering to his victims".

Sussex Police said Khan had befriended the girls through Snapchat and in chat rooms, lying about his age to build and manipulate trust.

He drove to Suffolk in September, 2022, to carry out an attack on the 14-year-old girl who he had spent time grooming online.

He was arrested on 1 October, 2022 and later charged with two counts of rape and one of attempted rape.

Police said he soon began grooming the 12-year-old girl from Sussex, asking her for explicit photos, stating he needed them to prove she was female.

He travelled to her address on 8 September, 2024 and bombarded her with messages to pressure her into meeting him, the force said.

He went on to abduct her and sexually assault her.

Khan then made a second unsuccessful attempt to meet her six days later, with detectives believing he drove about 600 miles during these two trips.

The offences were later reported to police, and Khan was arrested in November 2024.

He was charged with assaulting a girl under 13, taking a child, engaging with sexual communications with a child and meeting a child following grooming.

Following Khan's trial, a jury returned verdicts of guilty on all counts regarding both the Sussex and Suffolk cases.

Det Sgt Williamson said: "Inam Khan is a dangerous predator, using social media to identify and then meet vulnerable females, whom he then subjected to sexual assaults.

"Khan's horrific offending has caused untold suffering to his victims, which will have a long-lasting impact, not only for them, but also for their families."

Det Sgt Jamie Ashford, from Sussex Police, added: "This case highlights the very real dangers posed when children are approached online by individuals intent on grooming and sexual exploitation."

Khan will spend a further three years on licence when he is released.

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