Man charged with assaulting children in Thames Valley and Hampshire

The man is facing 34 charges between 2015 and 2018.

Published 17th Sep 2020
Last updated 17th Sep 2020

A man has been charged with physical assaults against children in connection with circumcision procedures that took place in private residences.

Mohammad Siddiqui, aged 54 from the Hockley area of Birmingham, has been charged with 34 offences across seven counties, including the Thames Valley and Hampshire.

The offences include:

  • Assault occasioning Actual Bodily Harm
  • Parenterally administer, other than to self, a prescription only medicine, when not an appropriate practitioner
  • Assault, ill-treat, neglect, or abandon a child or young person to cause unnecessary suffering or injury

A joint investigation was carried out between Hampshire and Thames Valley Police, as part of Operation Jetson.

A statement from Hampshire Police says:

"This investigation related to an individual’s possible criminal actions whilst undertaking circumcision procedures and is not concerned with the practice of circumcision itself."

Mr Siddiqui has been bailed to appear at Westminster Magistrates on November 6th.

REPORT CONCERNS

The force are asking anyone who has concerns about these types of offences to report it in the correct way.

It's asked that they use the HOLMES National Police Portal online, or call 101 and ask for Hampshire Constabulary quoting Operation Jetson.