'Dangerous predator' booked Airbnb to abuse girls

Leo Faradoye tricked the girls into thinking they were attending a photoshoot

A "dangerous predator" abused two teenage girls at an Airbnb he had booked on the pretence of doing a photoshoot with them.

Leo Faradoye lured two girls, aged 15 and 17, to an apartment in Manchester city centre in February, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said.

Manchester Crown Court heard Faradoye had jumped out of an upstairs window when police arrived at the apartment after the alarm was raised.

The 34-year-old, of North Road, Nottingham, was sentenced to 11 years and four months for multiple child sex offences.

The court heard Faradoye had booked the Turner Street apartment on 12 December 2023, to cover the period of 18-27 February.

Suspicions raised

When he arrived on 18 February, he was seen with two girls.

But he had told the Airbnb owner he had been planning a relaxing weekend with his wife.

The Airbnb owner's suspicions were raised and they called the police.

When officers arrived at the apartment, Faradoye jumped out of the window and ran from the police.

Police found photography equipment had been set up in various rooms, including lighting and backdrop screens.

A search also revealed extensive amounts of underwear and clothing, a quantity of cash and a white powder in a bottle.

Police said Faradoye had later attempted to throw away a backpack containing photography equipment, which was recovered in Manchester city centre.

'Streets are safer'

The two young girls had travelled across the UK to meet with Faradoye, under the pretence they were taking part in a photography shoot, police said.

One of the victims described how she had first met him in October 2023 at an address in Nottingham, where she was given alcohol before photographs were taken of her.

GMP said Farodaye was also convicted of inciting a child to engage in a sex act, breach of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order from 2014, a sexual act with a child, and taking indecent photos of a child.

He received seven years and four months with an extended licence of four years.

Det Con Olivia Lonergan said: "Faradoye is a dangerous child predator and the streets are safer with him behind bars.

"We are extremely grateful to the victims, who have shown significant strength and bravery in supporting this prosecution and we are hoping that the result goes some way to helping them heal and come to terms with what has happened to them."

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