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 following concerns 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 ahead of a hearing at Bristol Crown Court on 17 December. The victims were in their mid- to late teens at the time of the alleged offences.
Those charged include Mohamed Arafe, 19, of Speedwell, accused of five counts of arranging or facilitating child sexual exploitation, among other charges. Sina Omari, 20, of Eastville, faces two counts of rape and multiple other offences. Wadie Sharaf, 21, of Westbury Park, is charged with rape, attempted rape, and sexual assault. Hussain Bashar, 19, of Southmead, faces one count of rape.
Other defendants are Mohammed Kurdi, 21, of Henbury, charged with two counts of rape and drug supply offences; Sardam Ahmed, 19, of no fixed address, accused of four counts of rape and other crimes; and Ihab al-Eisawi, 22, of Fishponds, charged with two counts of rape and one 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.” Superintendent Deepak Kenth added that police have held events in Bristol city centre and worked with hotels, taxi drivers, and other businesses to raise awareness about exploitation signs.
