A sex offender who secretly photographed thousands of women and children before using artificial intelligence to create sexually explicit images was repeatedly bailed back to the flat where much of the offending took place, the Metropolitan Police said.
Zafer Dogan, 32, photographed adults and children going about their daily lives without their knowledge or consent, then used AI software to digitally alter the images, including by removing their clothing.
He was jailed for two years and four months at Wood Green Crown Court on Thursday after pleading guilty to making indecent images of children.
Repeated Bail Despite Warnings
Despite pleading guilty to the offences, Dogan, from Enfield, was repeatedly allowed to return to his home address, which overlooked a children’s playground and was the scene of much of his offending.
The Met and Crown Prosecution Service repeatedly warned the courts about the risk Dogan posed to the local community.
Prosecutors opposed bail on three occasions, backed by officers who submitted a detailed risk assessment. But their applications were unsuccessful and Dogan was allowed to return to the community.
Investigation Details
According to the police, Dogan had taken more than 5,000 images, many of which were from his bedroom window which overlooked a playground.
Thirty-three women and two children, aged between seven and 13, were “digitally altered” using AI software, the court heard. Only a limited number of those photographed have so far been identified and are receiving specialist support and officers are continuing efforts to identify many more potential victims.
Following Dogan’s sentence, Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said: “The children should have been put first, not the paedophile.”
Police are appealing for people who believe they may have been photographed by Dogan to come forward.
Arrest and Court Proceedings
The court heard that Dogan was arrested on July 16 on suspicion of offences involving indecent images of children.
The defendant “freed himself” from his handcuffs, ran away and discarded his mobile phone into a nearby garden. He was stopped soon after and his device was seized.
Prosecutor Sarah Gabay said that investigators discovered “thousands of images of women and children which seem to have been taken without their consent or their knowledge”.
Ms Gabay said these individuals were “going about their daily business” in the photographs, which included pictures of children on climbing frames.
Dogan, of Enfield, was arrested again on August 4 and the following day he was charged and remanded by police.
The defendant appeared at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court on August 6 and accepted all the charges against him.
According to the prosecutor, Dogan has “been on conditional bail throughout these proceedings”.
Dogan gave no comment interviews after both arrests, the court heard.
Victim Impact and Sentencing
The court heard victim impact statements from the mothers of Dogan’s two child victims, who have been kept anonymous for legal reasons.
The mother of the 13-year-old victim described feeling as if she had been “punched in the gut” when police officers told her what had happened.
She added: “I’m really worried that my daughter’s photos are online and other paedophiles have them.”
The mother of the seven-year-old victim described feeling “helpless”, adding: “Our lives will never be the same again and I can’t do anything about it all because one man exploited my child.”
Joseph Carr, mitigating, said the defendant “recognises the profound seriousness” of his offending.
He said the defendant had separated from his long-term partner in 2025 and subsequently “spiralled into depression”.
The lawyer said Dogan “fell down the rabbit hole and was unable to find his way out”, but added that there is no excuse for his actions.
The judge described Dogan as a “Jekyll and Hyde” character during the hearing having read multiple character references, which Mr Carr said “speak to positive character”.
Dogan pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of a child which included 900 category C images, 294 category B images and 653 category A images – which are the most severe.
He also admitted possessing extreme pornography, possessing a prohibited image of a child, creating purported intimate images of an adult, obstructing a constable in the execution of their duty and a further two counts of making indecent photographs of a child.
Sentencing him, Judge Alexander Jacobs said: “The offences are so serious that in my judgement only a custodial sentence is justified.”
He commended the “bravery” of the mothers who gave victim impact statements, adding: “As they rightly say, whatever sentence I impose, it will not undo what you did. No sentence can give those families back what you stole from them through your depraved actions.”
He said he is satisfied that all of Dogan’s offending was “completely sexually motivated”.
Police Constable Natalie Scagliarini, who led the investigation, said: “This is a deeply distressing case. Dogan’s actions were predatory and dangerous. He targeted the most innocent of scenes – children playing or out walking with their parents – and manipulated the photos he took in the most sickening way.
“The nature of his offending has understandably left those who have learned of it feeling unsettled and violated, not knowing when they might be being watched or photographed and for what purpose.
“We remain committed to protecting women and children and bringing those who seek to exploit them before the courts, and I thank those affected by Dogan’s offending whose bravery and support has helped us to achieve today's result.”
