Child sex offender jailed for masturbating in Mile End church

A mother discovered Mohamed Ali masturbating in the foyer of Guardian Angels church in Mile End as she dropped her one-year-old child at a playgroup. The incident occurred on February 26, when the mother mistakenly entered the church through the main entrance instead of the rear access used by the children's group. She encountered Ali, asked if she was in the correct entrance, and he responded, "I am a sex offender," before she left. The mother reported the encounter to the church, which reviewed CCTV footage.

CCTV showed Ali, aged 44, sitting in the foyer at 10:30am. He was seen reading a newspaper before removing his penis from his trousers and masturbating. Ali was arrested months later after being identified by a police officer. He pleaded guilty to recklessly causing a public nuisance and breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order on the basis that he did not intend to be seen.

Previous Convictions and Sentencing

Snaresbrook Crown Court heard that Ali has 136 previous convictions dating back to 2000, including offences involving children. During the sentencing hearing, Ali stated, "I never went to church to have a wank in front of children." Judge Leslie Cuthbert acknowledged this but noted that children were present in the vicinity of his actions. Bethany Baggaley, defending, mentioned Ali's remorse and stated he had experienced a traumatic childhood contributing to mental health difficulties.

Ali, appearing via videolink from prison, claimed the state was responsible for his situation and that he had nowhere to masturbate due to homelessness. He also alleged the mother was part of a vigilante group. Judge Cuthbert told Ali that his behaviour created a risk of serious distress to the public. The judge rejected Ali's claims of remorse, citing his attempts to shift blame. Ali was sentenced to 15 months in prison, with the judge stating that prison appeared to be the only factor preventing him from committing further offences.