Anime-loving fantasist used love of Japanese cartoons to groom 12 year old girl.

Man Imprisoned for Grooming 12-Year-Old Girl at Anime Convention

Adam Eltabib, a 30-year-old man from Chatham, has been sentenced to one year in prison for grooming a 12-year-old girl he met at an anime convention in London in 2018.

Eltabib, who appeared in court with bright pink and green hair, admitted to engaging in sexual conversations with the child and possessing over 3,000 indecent images on his computer.

The victim's mother noticed inappropriate messages from Eltabib on her daughter's phone and reported them to the police. A forensic examination of Eltabib's phone revealed explicit images and conversations with the child, including references to sexual acts.

Eltabib claimed to be a "hero" who was downloading child abuse material to bring down those who took it. However, Judge Philip Statman dismissed this claim as "fanciful," stating that Eltabib was simply exploiting the victim's interest in anime and cosplay.

The judge emphasized the serious impact on the victim, who suffered health issues due to the emotional distress caused by Eltabib's actions.

"A young girl was being asked in these texts to confront adult issues and you took advantage of her expressing your sexual desires," Judge Statman said.

Eltabib's Facebook profile revealed his interest in anime, cosplay, and gaming. He used the name of an anime character known for stalking and spying on women.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of online grooming and the importance of parental awareness and vigilance in protecting children.