Victims 'grossly failed' by sex offender bail decision
London's victims' commissioner has criticized the justice system for granting bail to a sex offender who targeted children near his home. The offender, Zafer Dogan, used AI to create indecent images and was allowed to return to his residence overlooking a playground despite police objections.
Why it matters
The case raises serious questions about the prioritization of prison capacity over victim safety and the adequacy of bail procedures in sex offense cases.
Image source, Met Police Image caption, Zafer Dogan took photographs from his bedroom window
Victims and their families were "grossly failed" by the court system that bailed a sex offender and repeatedly allowed him to return to his home overlooking the playground he targeted, London's victims' commissioner said.
Zafer Dogan, from Enfield in north London, was jailed on Thursday for two years and four months for taking thousands of pictures of children and using AI software to "nudify" them.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today , Andrea Simon said the case showed that "the justice system did not centre victims" and called for a multi-agency review.
A government spokesperson said the law was clear that bail "should only be used where necessary and proportionate, including to protect victims".
Dogan had pleaded guilty to multiple offences, including making indecent images of children.
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