A criminal defence solicitor who systematically groomed and sexually abused two 13-year-old girls, paying them hundreds of pounds in cash for explicit photographs, has been jailed for more than nine years.
Predatory Behaviour and Cash Payments
Suleman Baig, 40, from Grimsby, was described by prosecutors as 'calculated' and 'predatory' during proceedings at Leeds Crown Court. The court heard how Baig first contacted the girls through a childhood friend before beginning to ask them to send him naked photographs via the social media app Snapchat.
When the girls initially refused his requests, Baig offered cash incentives of up to £100 for a single explicit photograph. He would hide the money in the home of one victim, often concealing it under toilet rolls in the bathroom.
Escalation of Abuse and Disturbing Tactics
The abuse escalated significantly as Baig began demanding the girls perform sexual acts. During twenty separate episodes of sexual abuse, he told one victim to 'think about vegetables' as a distraction from his sordid activities.
Police became involved following welfare concerns about one child. When officers interviewed her at school, she revealed she had been sending images to a man who was abusing her. During this police meeting, she received multiple messages from Baig on social media.
Investigation Reveals Extensive Evidence
While investigating the initial reports, police were alerted to a second victim. When Baig was arrested in 2021, officers discovered more than 700 indecent images of children on his electronic devices.
This collection included 'pseudo images' of one victim that Baig had created using editing software, manipulating the original photographs she had sent him.
Attempts to Pervert Justice
Following his arrest, the solicitor contacted both victims and witnesses in attempts to pressure them into withdrawing their statements supporting the prosecution. On the second day of his scheduled trial in December, Baig pleaded guilty to multiple offences including:
- Sexual assault
- Making indecent photographs of children
- Intending to pervert the course of justice
- Sexual activity with a child
- Paying for the sexual services of a child
Sentencing and Bail Violation
At Leeds Crown Court, Baig was sentenced to nine years and nine months imprisonment and placed on the sex offenders register for life. The court heard that after pleading guilty, Baig was granted bail on condition he surrender his passport to police.
However, he supplied officers with a passport that had expired more than twenty years previously. His bail was subsequently revoked and he was remanded into custody.
Prosecution and Police Statements
Graham Guest of the Crown Prosecution Service stated: 'Suleman Baig was a practising solicitor who knew exactly how serious his crimes were, yet still continued to systematically groom and abuse two young girls. Baig exploited a position of trust, offering money to manipulate the girls into sending him explicit images for his own gratification.'
Philip Shrimpton of Humberside Police added: 'Baig was a practising criminal solicitor and yet still committed such abhorrent crimes against these girls. It has been a lengthy and complex investigation, but it is thanks to their courage that he is being held accountable for his despicable sexual deviancy.'
Both officials praised the courage of the victims in coming forward and supporting the prosecution despite Baig's attempts to silence them, noting that his conviction sends a clear message that no one is above the law regardless of their profession.
