In 2026, the Offender Database reported that Mohamed Patel, then 61, of Stoke Newington Road, Hackney, Greater London, was handed a suspended prison sentence. On Monday, 2 February 2026, Patel appeared at Wood Green Crown Court for sentencing after being captured using innovative police technology following months of evading the authorities.
The investigation established that between March and August 2020, Patel targeted a 12-year-old girl in an online chatroom. He engaged her in “vile” sexual conversations, asking about her clothing and making explicit remarks. The prosecution reported that Patel eventually travelled to a location to meet the child, but was instead met and arrested by undercover officers. Following a complex investigation, he was charged in May 2025, but failed to appear at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court in June, leading to a warrant for his arrest.
Judicial Findings and Investigative Detail
The court reported that Patel was finally located on Friday, 19 December 2025, when a Metropolitan Police Live Facial Recognition (LFR) van operating on Kingsland High Street, Dalston, identified him in the crowd. Officers moved in swiftly to arrest him on suspicion of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and attempting to meet a girl under 16 following grooming. Lindsey Chiswick, the Met’s lead for facial recognition, emphasised that without this technology, Patel could have continued to evade justice and pose a risk to women and girls.
The judge emphasised that Patel’s predatory behaviour was “serious” and warranted a custodial term, though the final sentence was suspended. The prosecution emphasised that the use of LFR has been a “game-changer” for the Metropolitan Police, contributing to the arrest of over 1,700 offenders since 2024. For his crimes in Hackney, the court determined that, while Patel avoided immediate jail, he must serve a decade of formal registration to ensure he is strictly monitored within the community.
Sentence and Statutory Requirements
For his crimes in England, Mohamed Patel was handed:
- Custodial Sentence: 12 months’ imprisonment, suspended for 12 months.
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements were activated for 10 years.
- Convictions: Admitted attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and attempting to meet a girl under 16 following grooming.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Patel is managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) by the Metropolitan Police. Due to his history of using online chatrooms to groom a 12-year-old girl, his internet usage and social media activity are under high-level scrutiny by the Public Protection Unit in Hackney.
As a member of the Sex Offenders Register, Patel must comply with mandatory notification requirements regarding his residence in Stoke Newington Road, Hackney. Authorities state that the LFR technology remains a vital tool to locate offenders who, like Patel, attempt to slip under the radar. Any breach of his registration conditions, his suspended sentence terms, or any further “vile” online conduct will result in his immediate arrest and the activation of his 12-month prison sentence at Wood Green Crown Court.
If you or anyone you know has been affected by the individuals highlighted on this website, please report them to the Police on 101 (999 in an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details on reporting a crime. You can also report to Crimestoppers if you wish to remain completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.