AN asylum seeker from Gaza tried to meet a 14-year-old girl for sex, a court heard.
Al-Najjar Amir Abdulrahim, 30, is alleged to have had “sexual communications” over 57 days until last Saturday.
The Palestinian refugee, learning English at a college in Stockton-on-Tees, Co Durham, tried to fix a meeting with the supposed child, who is thought to have been a decoy.
When he tried to meet her last weekend, intending they would “engage in sexual activity”, he was arrested and held.
He is charged with attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and attempting to meet a child following grooming.
Manchester JPs remanded him in custody to appear at the city’s crown court next month.
They decided there were no conditions to reduce the risk he would offend while on bail, though he was not considered a flight risk.
He gave no indication of his plea at the short hearing at Manchester Magistrates’ Court.
Abdulrahim is thought to have had an interview with the Home Office about his immigration status earlier this month.
It is unclear how or when he arrived from Gaza.
The Palestinian refugee, learning English at a college in Stockton-on-Tees, Co Durham, is alleged to have had ‘sexual communications’ with the ‘girl’ over 57 days[/caption]
