'Pick up artist' jailed for two years for threatening behaviour towards women

A self-styled pick-up artist has been jailed for two years over threatening behaviour towards young women that left them “mentally scarred”.

Adnan Ahmed, 38, who called himself Addy A-game in secretly filmed videos posted online, was convicted of threatening and abusive behaviour for approaching several young women, causing them fear and alarm.

Sheriff Lindsay Wood found there was a “significant sexual aspect” to the offences and placed Ahmed, of Glasgow, on the sex offenders’ register for ten years.

The sheriff told Ahmed: “Two schoolgirls were shamefully targeted by you in a quiet lane and the three other women were considerably younger than you.

“Why on earth would you consider it appropriate to touch a complete stranger on the cheek and try to kiss them?”

'Predatory' pick-up artist who targeted young Scottish women found guilty

He added: “You have acquired both notoriety and an unenviable reputation.

“Further, the public will be wise to such behaviour in future towards women by you and others like you.

“The courts will always try to keep abreast of developing criminal trends which cause public disquiet, concern and even outrage and will take appropriate steps to tackle these.”

He praised Ahmed’s victims for giving evidence, adding: “The mental scarring won’t leave in a hurry but they will be fortified that, by giving evidence of what really happened, you will be held to account.”

Glasgow Sheriff Court heard that one woman was aged 21 when he approached her in the street, made comments about her appearance, touched her cheek and tried to kiss her, leading to her pushing him away.

He also approached two schoolgirls, aged 16 and 17, asked the older one if she was at school, if she was married and if she wanted to meet for coffee.

He also approached two other women in the street, with all the offences taking place between 2016 and 2019 in Glasgow city centre and Uddingston, Lanarkshire.

Ahmed disputed his actions were unlawful and in evidence accused his victims of lying or misconstruing him.

His lawyer Donna Armstrong later told the court he had not intended to cause fear and alarm.

Ahmed was previously found guilty after an eight-day trial.

The court heard he had previous convictions, including for drink-driving and a firearms charge, and had previously been jailed seven times – the longest for two years and three months.

He has been in custody since January for the current case and his two-year sentence was backdated.

Police began an investigation after his behaviour was revealed by the BBC’s The Social.