"I felt his intentions were of a sexual nature"
Met Police officer Adnan Arib, aged 45, of Barking, east London, was jailed for two years after he used his position to try to start a sexual relationship with two “vulnerable” teenagers.
Southwark Crown Court heard that Arib got the mobile phone numbers of both girls, aged 15 and 16, and asked whether they had boyfriends while inviting them out for drinks.
Arib first came into contact with the 16-year-old after she was picked up by police, having been reported missing on April 1, 2019.
While in Bethnal Green Police Station, the police officer asked for her phone and if she was in a relationship.
The girl said she began feeling “uncomfortable and a bit weird” when Arib told her she was “very pretty”.
Arib then sent her dozens of text messages for around two months, telling her that he wanted to take her out.
He accessed a police report about her and officers later found 47 text messages between the pair on a phone that he initially denied was his.
In July 2019, Arib was called to the 15-year-old girl’s flat by her mother, who had accused her of stealing £10.
He told her to deny the alleged theft and got her phone number.
They later met in a park where Arib asked if she had a boyfriend and suggested taking her out for a drink.
Arib claimed he wanted to offer the girls “career advice” but he was found guilty of two counts of misconduct in a public office.
He was suspended by the Met.
In a victim impact statement, the younger girl said:
“I felt uncomfortable because I know his intentions were not pure.
“I felt his intentions were of a sexual nature and that he had other people waiting for us.
“It was inappropriate because he was trying to take me somewhere.
“For a while, I feared for mine and my mum’s safety because he knew where I lived.
“If I was as vulnerable as he thought I was I am sure the situation would have carried into something more.”
Her mother added: “I feel guilty because I called the police for only £10 and then this situation happened. We don’t feel secure in our own home.
“I now have a lack of trust in the UK authorities because he’s a policeman.”
Patrick Hill, defending, said: “The loss of his career and reputation are inevitable.
“The disciplinary proceedings will no doubt be fast-tracked in light of the jury’s verdicts.”
Judge Deborah Taylor said: “What is clear from the evidence, in this case, is that there was a sexual undertone to your behaviour.
“Once the jury had rejected your explanation, the only inference is you were trying to gain their trust to pursue some sort of sexual relationship.
“You were a police officer and you used your position as an officer to obtain the mobile phone numbers of two young women, who were then aged 15 and 16 respectively.
“They were both vulnerable, and in your treatment of them, you abused the public’s trust in you as a police officer.”
“I take into account that the important aspect of the sentence, in this case, is punishment and deterrence, because not only must police officers be deterred from misconduct but the public must see that very serious punishment will be visited on those who betray the trust given to them and don’t live up to the high standards required by any police force.”
Arib was jailed for two years.
After sentencing, Detective Chief Superintendent Marcus Barnett said:
“Officers like PC Arib are not welcome in our Met and the sentence handed to him today reflects the seriousness of his actions.
“Now that the criminal case has concluded we will move to misconduct proceedings as soon as possible.
“The communities we serve come to us in need of help and at times of great distress.
“It is our duty to do so in the most protective and professional way and we will not stand for anyone who fails to take this responsibility seriously.
“The trust of the public is fundamental to our core purpose of keeping London safe.
“We only want the best and I hope this demonstrates that we will always act when our employees fall below the exemplary standards we and the public expect.”
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