Seven men charged in Bristol child sexual exploitation investigation

Seven men have been charged with more than 40 offences as part of an investigation into child sexual exploitation in Bristol.

The investigation began in November 2023 when concerns were raised about the sexual exploitation of a teenage girl.

The girls were in their mid- to late teens at the time of the alleged offences which took place between 2022 and 2025.

The men accused were re-arrested on Tuesday in a targeted police operation and appeared at Bristol Magistrates’ Court the next day when none of the seven entered pleas or made applications for bail.

They were remanded into custody before an appearance at Bristol Crown Court on December 17.

Avon and Somerset Police listed the men:

• Mohamed Arafe, 19, of Speedwell. He has been charged with five counts of arranging or facilitating the sexual exploitation of a child, one of causing or inciting the sexual exploitation of a child, one of sexual assault, one of being concerned in the supply of cocaine and a further count of being concerned in the supply of ecstasy.
• Sina Omari, 20, of Eastville. He has been charged with two counts of rape, four counts of arranging or facilitating the sexual exploitation of a child, one of causing or inciting the sexual exploitation of a child, two counts of making 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.
• Wadie Sharaf, 21, of Westbury Park. He has been charged with one count of rape, one of attempted rape, three counts of sexual assault and a further count of sexual activity with a child.
• Hussain Bashar, 19, of Southmead. He has been charged with one count of rape.
• Mohammed Kurdi, 21, of Henbury. He has been charged with two counts of rape, two counts of arranging or facilitating the sexual exploitation of a child, one count of supplying ecstasy and a further count of supplying cannabis.
• Sardam Ahmed, 19, of no fixed address. He has been 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.
• Ihab al-Eisawi, 22, of Fishponds. He has been charged with two counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.

Detective chief inspector Tom Herbert, the senior investigating officer, 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.

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.”

Main photo: Betty Woolerton