One of UK’s ‘most dangerous’ paedophiles was questioned and released by police in 2012

Bahmani Ahmadi, from Benwell, went on to abuse a string of youngsters after his release and has now admitted 18 sex offences against young girls.

Bahmani Ahmadi was initially arrested in June 2012 when the first of his young victims came forward. But, the 23-year-old was released with no further action after police failed to examine his mobile phone or refer the case to the Crown Prosecution Service, a court heard.

And, by the time he was arrested in 2014 and later charged in January this year, Ahmadi had gone on to commit a string of sex offences against more than 10 vulnerable girls, some as young as 11.

The offences include two counts of sexual activity with a 15-year-old, in relation to his first victim in 2012, two counts of sexual assault on two child victims, two counts of trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation, and one count of attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity.

He also pleaded guilty to inciting a girl of 17 into prostitution, five counts of inciting children under the age of 13 to engage in sexual activity, and five counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity where the victims were 13-16 years old. . .The predator also organised and paid for taxis to transport some of the girls to his home.

He was finally caught when police launched Operation Sanctuary in 2014, a long-running investigation into sexual abuse. 

Speaking after the case, Det Supt Steve Barron said Ahmadi was one of the “most dangerous” people he’d come across.

Ahmadi will be sentenced on July 3.