Fears ‘callous’ Snapchat predator - who raped 12-year-old girl - was in contact with ‘many’ other children

Police fear that a predatory paedophile - who has been jailed for raping a 12-year-old girl he coerced on Snapchat - could have had other victims as young as 10.

Driss Serhir, of no fixed address, was convicted of three counts of raping a child under 13, and detectives believed he was in contact with many girls aged between 10 and 15 across London, South East England and the Midlands.

After befriending her on Snapchat, he took the girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, into central London in October 2019.

Serhir, who was 18 at the time, led her to believe he was armed with a knife and gun.

During the day, he took control of the girl’s mobile phone and booked a hotel room, where he sexually assaulted her several times before she left the next day in a state of distress.

After the victim reported the assaults to police, Serhir was arrested and charged with three counts of rape following a police investigation.

Forensic experts found semen on the victim’s clothes matching Serhir’s DNA, while he used his mobile phone to book the hotel room, despite using a different name and paying in cash.

Police seized the phone and discovered it contained videos of him with the girl in the hotel room, while search terms including ‘rape’ was listed in his internet history.

Following a trial at Harrow Crown Court, on Monday, July 18, he was sentenced to nine years behind bars and placed on the sexual offenders list for life.

Officers believe there may be other victims of Serhir’s offending and are urging anyone with information to come forward.

Sgt PJ Jones, from the Met Police, said: “Driss Serhir is a predatory offender who was callous, not only in his offending, but on his insistence on putting his victim through the trial.

“The investigation suggests he was in contact with many girls aged between 10 and 15 years old and that he has visited Greater London, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Surrey and the West Midlands using several aliases.

“I would like to hear from anyone who recognises him or who has any concerns about his behaviour. We have specially trained officers and partners who can offer a wide range of support.”

Sehir was also given a 15-year sexual harm and prevention order by the court.

Sgt Jones, of the force’s northwest borough command predatory offender unit, added: “I wish to thank the survivor of this assault for her trust, resilience and patience.

“Without the continued support of her and her loved ones, this man would have remained a danger in the community.”

A Met spokesperson added: “We urge anyone who has been a victim of sexual assault to report it directly to police on 101 or via our website.

“Specially trained officers will support you and we will seek to bring offenders to justice.

“We assure survivors any allegation will be taken seriously and you will be fully supported.”

Anyone wishing to make contact with detectives can call on 101 with the reference 4798/18JUL22.