by Cam Lucadou-Wells
A “relentless” Cranbourne East predator has been jailed for grooming two girls aged about 12 and 14.
Mohammad Jan Azimy, 23, was found guilty by a Victorian County Court jury of five counts of encouraging children under 16 to engage in sex.
He was also found guilty of stalking and persistently breaching an intervention order as well as two charges of grooming for sexual conduct.
In sentencing on 18 October, Judge Trevor Wraight said Azimy pursued the girls with messages for months in 2019 and 2020, even after an intervention order was served to protect the younger girl.
“The text messages and your conduct demonstrated a determined and relentless plan to engage in sexual activity with the victims.”
In defiance of the order, Azimy stalked the girl around a library and later repeatedly contacted her on Facebook Messenger, Snapchat and Instagram with lewd messages.
He has been remanded since his arrest on 14 January 2020.
At trial, Azimy pleaded not guilty, arguing that he believed the girls were over 16, and that he didn’t understand the nature of the intervention order.
But the jury found he knew enough about the order to know not to approach or contact the victim, Judge Wraight noted
Azimy, who was 21-22 at the time of his offending, had no prior convictions, was “immature for his age” and with a “compromised” intellect.
Judge Wraight rated his rehabilitation prospects as “good” with strong family support.
His insight into his crimes had improved with professional counselling.
Born in Afghanistan, Azimy and his family have been living in Australia since 2016 on a permanent resident visa.
Still a non-citizen, he is now at risk of deportation for his crimes.
Judge Wraight said Azimy’s “very serious” offences could be “highly damaging” to his victims.
The sentence must serve as a “strong reminder” to Azimy, as well as primarily protect the community.
Azimy was jailed for 10 months plus a two-year community corrections order.
The CCO includes 200 hours of unpaid work, sexual offender treatment and supervision.
He must report as a registered sex offender for life.
