Man sentenced to 11.5 years for luring and sexually assaulting Calgary girls on Snapchat
Hammad Shaikh pleaded guilty to seven offences involving victims ages 12 to 16, who described having their boundaries 'stomped on and run over' during years of abuse.
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Hammad Shaikh, 26, pleaded guilty Thursday to seven offences involving the sexual assault and exploitation of girls aged 12 to 16 whom he lured on Snapchat and Instagram. Justice Eleanor Funk sentenced Shaikh to 11.5 years in prison under a joint proposal from prosecutors Sarah Goard-Baker and Stephanie Morton and defence lawyers Rebecca Snukal and Mary Stephensen.
Three years separated Shaikh's crimes from his guilty plea. He was mid-trial on 28 charges when he changed his plea. A publication ban protects the identities of the girls, who read impact statements to the court.
One victim, identified as VK, was 13 when Shaikh initiated contact over Snapchat. Their interactions lasted months before Shaikh picked her up in January 2024, bought her flavoured vodka and marijuana, and had sex with her in his car. "My view on intimacy is completely distorted now," VK told the court. "I miss the person that I was before. I have no idea what my boundaries are because two years ago they were stomped on and run over."
A second victim, LW, was 15 when Shaikh began messaging her on Instagram and Snapchat in spring 2023. He supplied alcohol and marijuana before sexual activity in his car, then recorded and saved videos of the abuse. "I carried an immense amount of shame," LW said. "I felt ashamed of every kiss, every touch, every word. You used me in so many ways."
The third victim, PC, was 14 when Shaikh first contacted her over Snapchat. Over five months, he supplied marijuana and alcohol during regular meetings and had sex with her in his car, his home, and a hotel room. Shaikh took videos of sexual activity with PC constituting child sexual abuse material. PC attempted suicide after the abuse and suffered serious mental health issues, lost friends, and stopped attending school. "I smoked more weed and drank dangerous amounts to forget," PC told the court. "I couldn't forgive myself."
One parent described the impact on their child, saying they "could not be left alone … I had to focus on keeping my child alive."
What support is available to the victims and their families after sentencing?
Are there other victims who have not yet come forward?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
The facts
How long was Hammad Shaikh sentenced to prison?
Hammad Shaikh received an 11.5-year prison sentence.
How many offences did Shaikh plead guilty to?
Shaikh pleaded guilty to seven offences involving the sexual assault and exploitation of girls.
What were the ages of Shaikh's victims?
The victims were aged 12 to 16 years old.
How did Shaikh contact and groom his victims?
Shaikh lured the girls on Snapchat and Instagram, then supplied them with alcohol and marijuana before sexually assaulting them.
