A man who took thousands of photos of women and children without their knowledge before using AI to turn them into explicit images has been sentenced following a Met investigation.

Zafer Dogan, 32 (10.08.1994) of Enfield, was sentenced to 2 years and 4 months today (Thursday, 24 September) at Wood Green Crown Court. He will also be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention order, and appear on the sex offender register for 10 years.

Shockingly, after Dogan pleaded guilty to making indecent images of children, he was bailed by the courts back to his home address while he waited to be sentenced – the very location where much of his offending had taken place. Prosecutors opposed bail three times with the support of officers who provided a detailed risk assessment to the courts, but their appeals were unsuccessful and Dogan was able to return to the community.

Detectives established Dogan had taken photos of women and children in ordinary circumstances before using AI to turn them into sexually explicit images, including by removing their clothing.

Many of the photos were taken from his bedroom window, which overlooked a children’s playground. Other photos appear to suggest he also followed women and schoolchildren in the surrounding area.

A limited number of those photographed have been identified and are receiving specialist support, but officers still need to identify many more. They are appealing for potential victim-survivors to come forward.

Police Constable Natalie Scagliarini, who led the investigation, said: “This is a deeply distressing case. Dogan’s actions were predatory and dangerous. He targeted the most innocent of scenes – children playing or out walking with their parents – and manipulated the photos he took in the most sickening way.

“The nature of his offending has understandably left those who have learned of it feeling unsettled and violated, not knowing when they might be being watched or photographed and for what purpose.

“We remain committed to protecting women and children and bringing those who seek to exploit them before the courts, and I thank those affected by Dogan’s offending whose bravery and support has helped us to achieve today’s result.”

Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said: “It is not often you will see me outside court following a sentencing, but this case is yet another example of victims being let down by a criminal justice system that too often fails to put their safety first – in this case children.

“Ever increasing volumes of cases are raised with me by angry and sometimes upset officers who are doing all they can to protect victims and communities but feel hamstrung by a justice system that makes seemingly unfathomable decisions. That is why I am here today, pushing for victims to be put before the criminals, as well as supporting Brian and his officers so their concerns are heard.

“Zafer Dogan who admitted his guilt for these offences was allowed to return to the very address from which he targeted his victims who lived very close by. Prosecutors rightly opposed bail on multiple occasions building on officers’ clear assessments of the risk posed. Yet bail decisions were ultimately made that prioritised the offender’s interests over the safety and peace of mind of the victims.

“The result was that a victim and their family found themselves living in close proximity to a man who had admitted targeting them. They were so fearful, ultimately felt forced to move to distant temporary accommodation, disrupting the children’s lives, to escape being neighbours of the offender. That is simply not acceptable, the children should have been put first, not the paedophile.

“The pressure to reduce the remand population has contributed to more dangerous and prolific offenders being granted bail, despite strong submissions from the police and CPS. Frontline officers see the consequences of these decisions every day. Victims are left fearful, communities are left feeling less safe, and confidence in the criminal justice system is undermined. It is little surprise that increasing numbers of victims choose not to continue with their case before it reaches court.

“This case also highlights a growing challenge for law enforcement. Dogan voyeuristically photographed children known to him before using an AI photo editing technology to manipulate those images for his own sexual gratification. This is another example of how some grossly irresponsible technology and AI companies must do more to prevent their platforms and tools from being used to facilitate sexual offending and harm. Innovation cannot come at the expense of public safety, and industry has a clear responsibility to help prevent these technologies being exploited by predators.

“Victims, in this case extremely young children and their families deserve better from both the tech companies and the criminal justice system.”

On 16 July 2026, officers arrested Dogan on suspicion of offences involving indecent images of children after receiving information about his online activity. During the arrest, Dogan ran from officers and attempted to discard his mobile phone, which contained vital evidence, in the front garden of a nearby property. He was swiftly detained by officers, and the phone was recovered with the assistance of a specialist police dog.

The updated wording of the Bail Act, which came into force in March 2026, changed the test for deciding whether someone should be bailed to ‘no real prospect of immediate custody’. Previously it had been ‘no real prospect of custody’ more broadly. This test now applies to defendants who have been convicted but are still awaiting sentence, as in this case.