Seven men have been charged with more than 40 offences against 11 teenage girls as part of an investigation into group-based child sexual exploitation in Bristol. The alleged offences occurred between 2022 and 2025, with the investigation launched in November 2023 after concerns were raised about the exploitation of a teenage girl.
The men appeared before Judge Matthews at Bristol Magistrates' Court on Wednesday. None entered pleas or applied for bail, and they were remanded in custody until their next appearance at Bristol Crown Court on 17 December. The victims were in their mid- to late teens at the time of the alleged offences.
The charges include rape, sexual assault, arranging or facilitating child sexual exploitation, and drug offences. Among those charged are Mohamed Arafe, 19, of Speedwell, who faces five counts of arranging or facilitating child sexual exploitation, and Sina Omari, 20, of Eastville, who is accused of two counts of rape. Others include Wadie Sharaf, 21, of Westbury Park, charged with rape and attempted rape; Hussain Bashar, 19, of Southmead, charged with one count of rape; and Mohammed Kurdi, 21, of Henbury, charged with two counts of rape.
DCI 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.” Supt Deepak Kenth added that police are working with partner agencies, hotels, taxi drivers, and businesses to raise awareness about the signs of exploitation.
