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Seven Men Convicted in Rochdale Sex Trafficking Case After Years of Abuse
Table of Contents
Seven men have been found guilty of sexually exploiting two teenage girls in rochdale,Greater Manchester,between 2001 and 2006. the victims, referred to as Girl A and Girl B, were subjected to repeated rape and assault, with the abusers now facing justice after a lengthy trial at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court.
Details of the Rochdale Sex Trafficking Case
The girls, groomed from the age of 13, were treated as “sex slaves,” forced to comply with the men’s demands “whenever and wherever they wanted,” according to court testimony. girl A believed she may have been targeted by over 200 men, while Girl B stated that social workers had labeled her as “a prostitute” from the age of 10. Both girls came from troubled backgrounds and were plied with drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes by the men, who offered them places to stay. The prosecution described the victims as “children passed around for sex, abused, degraded, and then discarded.”
Did You No? According to a 2023 report by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC), online grooming increased by 82% between 2017 and 2022, highlighting the growing risk to vulnerable children NSPCC.
Key Figures and Their Roles
Mohammed Zahid, 64, identified as the gang leader and known as “Boss Man,” operated a stall on Rochdale market. Mushtaq Ahmed,67,and Kasir Bashir,50,also worked as stallholders. Mohammed Shahzad, 44, Naheem Akram, 48, and Nisar Hussain, 41, were taxi drivers. Roheez Khan, 39, had a prior conviction in a 2013 Rochdale grooming case. Bashir absconded during the trial while on bail.
| Name | Age | role | Conviction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mohammed Zahid | 64 | Gang Leader, Market Stallholder | Rape, Indecency with a Child, Procuring a Child |
| Mushtaq Ahmed | 67 | Market Stallholder | Rape, Indecency with a Child |
| Kasir Bashir | 50 | Market stallholder | Rape, Indecency with a Child |
| Mohammed Shahzad | 44 | Taxi Driver | Rape |
| Naheem Akram | 48 | Taxi Driver | Rape |
| Nisar Hussain | 41 | Taxi Driver | Rape |
| Roheez khan | 39 | N/A | Rape |
Failures in Child Protection and Apologies
Det Supt Alan Clitherow of Greater Manchester Police acknowledged that the force shoudl have done more at the time, stating that the way the victims were treated was “indefensible and inexcusable.” He apologized for the failures and noted improvements in how such investigations are now managed. sharon Hubber, Rochdale Borough Council’s director of children’s services, also apologized, admitting that more could and should have been done by those working at the time.
Pro Tip: If you suspect child abuse or exploitation, contact local law enforcement or child protective services promptly. You can also reach out to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678).
Ongoing investigations and Future Trials
The convictions are part of Operation Lytton, an ongoing investigation by Greater Manchester Police into historical child sexual exploitation in Rochdale. To date, 32 offenders have been convicted through this operation and an earlier investigation, Operation Doublet. Five more trials are scheduled to take place starting in September.
Liz Fell from the Crown Prosecution Service emphasized the commitment to relentlessly prosecute those who sexually exploit children, irrespective of when the abuse occurred.
What steps can communities take to prevent child sexual exploitation? How can individuals become more aware of the signs of grooming and abuse?
Historical Context and Trends in Child Sexual Exploitation
Child sexual exploitation (CSE) is a pervasive issue with deep historical roots. Understanding the trends and patterns of CSE is crucial for effective prevention and intervention. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, children and teens are most often victimized by someone they know and trust U.S. Department of Justice.Factors such as poverty, family instability, and
