A MAN who travelled to Reading with the intention of raping two children aged eight and three has been convicted of sex offences.

Shahmaan Ahmed, 28, of London, was found guilty of child sex offences following a police investigation by Thames Valley's Peodophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT) and South East Regional Crime Unit (SEROCU).

He had brought with him sweets and "sexual items".

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On Wednesday, February 3, Reading Crown Court head how Ahmed had engaged online and via Snapchat between June 15 and August 26,  2020, to make arrangements to travel to Reading with the intention to rape two children aged eight years old and three years old.

He arrived in Reading on August 26, where he was arrested by officers from TVP's POLIT.

Reading Chronicle: TVPTVP

During the trial, Ahmed tried to convince the jury that he was attempting to expose other people involved in sexual exploitation, however the jury unanimously found Ahmed guilty of all four counts.

During this investigation, there was never a real life victim and no children were ever in any danger.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Nick Hook, from Thames Valley Police, said: “This was a particularly distressing case where Ahmed brought with him sweets as gifts for the children as well as sexual items to facilitate the abuse of two children, the youngest of which he believed was only three years old.

“This was a successful operation where the extensive and strong collaboration between Thames Valley Police’s Paedophile Online Investigation Team and South East Regional Crime Unit, ensured Ahmed was brought to justice.

"It also shows the lengths of depravity that Ahmed would go to in an attempt to conduct child sex abuse."

Reading Chronicle: RCCRCC

Detective Inspector Lisa Heaton, from SEROCU, said: “This forms part of our continued priority to protect children from sexual exploitation from those who seek to do them harm.

"Law Enforcement operates across the internet, and we will relentlessly seek to bring to justice individuals who use the web to facilitate the abuse of children.

“If anyone has been a victim of child sexual abuse, I would urge you to report it to your local police force via 101.

"We will always follow up allegations of abuse, no matter when they occurred. Victims can talk in confidence to experienced Investigators and we can also help them get access to a range of other support services.

“If you have concerns about your use of the internet or inappropriate thoughts or behavior about children or if you are worried about how someone you know behaves around children or are worried about their use of the internet then the Lucy Faithfull Foundation provide a free, anonymous and confidential Stop It Now! helpline on 0808 1000 900 for advice, support and information.”

Ahmed was remanded in custody and will be sentenced on March 18 at Reading Crown Court.