An Afghan asylum seeker who engaged in predatory grooming behaviour towards a 15-year-old girl has walked free from court in a decision that's raising serious questions about the justice system.
Hakim Yazdani, 31, was caught sending sexually explicit messages to the teenager after initiating contact through social media. Despite admitting his crimes, Yazdani has been spared jail time in what many are calling a deeply troubling outcome.
The Disturbing Details
Yazdani, who entered Britain illegally in 2019, began communicating with the vulnerable teen online. The court heard how he sent multiple inappropriate messages of a sexual nature to the schoolgirl, clearly aware she was underage.
When police investigated, they discovered the disturbing conversations on Yazdani's phone. The evidence was overwhelming, leading to his eventual guilty plea to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.
Controversial Sentencing
Despite the serious nature of the offences, Judge Simon Drew KC decided against imposing a prison sentence. Instead, Yazdani received a 12-month community order with rehabilitation requirements and was ordered to sign the sex offenders register for five years.
The judge cited Yazdani's "limited English" and the fact he was "isolated" in Britain as mitigating factors in his decision. This reasoning has drawn sharp criticism from child protection advocates and the public alike.
Background of the Offender
Yazdani arrived in the UK hidden in a lorry four years ago and claimed asylum. He had been living in accommodation for asylum seekers in Stoke-on-Trent at the time of the offences.
The court heard he had no previous convictions in the UK, though his history before arriving in Britain remains unknown. He continues to await the outcome of his asylum application while walking free despite his criminal behaviour.
Public Outrage and Safety Concerns
The case has ignited anger among child protection campaigners and local residents. Many are questioning how someone who preyed on a child can remain in the community, particularly while his immigration status remains unresolved.
This ruling comes amid growing concerns about how the justice system handles cases involving foreign nationals who commit serious crimes while their asylum claims are processed.
