Trial begins for Calgary man accused of sexually assaulting seven underage girls on Snapchat

A four-week trial opened Tuesday for Hammad Shaikh, 26, accused of sexually assaulting seven underage girls he met on Snapchat. Shaikh faces 28 charges including sexual assault, sexual interference, luring, and child pornography-related offences. The alleged victims range in age from 12 to 17 years old.

Prosecutors Sarah Goard-Baker and Stephanie Morton told Court of King's Bench Justice Eleanor Funk that Shaikh used promises of alcohol, vapes, and marijuana to coax the girls to meet him in person. The alleged offences span between 2023 and 2024, and include multiple hands-on and online child sex offences. Court documents indicate sexual touching allegedly took place in Shaikh's car and at his home.

Shaikh is also accused of attempting to obstruct justice by contacting one of the alleged victims. A publication ban protects the identities of all alleged victims, who will testify from a separate, child-friendly courtroom.

Shaikh was released on bail in August 2024 but was re-arrested four months later and charged with breaching bail conditions, including breaching curfew, contacting an alleged victim, having contact with someone under 16, accessing social media, and possessing an electronic device. He remains in custody. His defence lawyers are Mary Stephensen and Rebecca Snukal.