Eight men, members of yet another “British” grooming gang, have been sentenced to a cumulative total of nearly 58 years for the sexual abuse of two children in Keighley during the late 1990s. This is after police had ignired the victims for decades, but now we are in a #metoo culture the police have to investigate the more likely newsworthy historic sex crimes.
The individuals were found guilty in two distinct trials at Bradford Crown Court for crimes committed between 1996 and 1999. West Yorkshire Police stated that the victims were girls aged 13 to 16 at the time of the abuse.
Mohammed Din, 47, was sentenced to 14 years, the harshest term, after being convicted of 11 counts of rape involving both victims. The other men were found guilty of crimes against the initial victim.
In the initial trial concluding in October 2023, four further individuals were incarcerated: Amreaz Asghar, 47, received a sentence of four and a half years; Perwaz Asghar, 50, was sentenced to six and a half years; Sajid Mahmood Khan, 45, received three years; and Zehroon Razak, 47, was sentenced to six and a half years.
Three other persons were found guilty in a subsequent trial that concluded in December 2024. Ibrar Hussain, 47, received a sentence of six and a half years, but Fayaz Ahmed, 45, and Imtiaz Ahmed, 61, were sentenced to seven and a half years and nine years, respectively, after being convicted in their absence.
Police report that a bench warrant has been issued for the apprehension of Imtiaz and Fayaz, and investigations are underway to locate them.
The investigation began when one woman contacted police years later to report abuse she had endured as a teenager. This led Bradford’s historical sex abuse team to launch an inquiry, during which a second victim was identified.
In court, the victim, now in her forties described the lasting trauma of abuse she suffered as a teenager. “I went through too much, too young,” she said, explaining that she still struggles with the impact of her ordeal.
She revealed how she was given drugs and alcohol before being sexually abused, with men sometimes queuing to assault her at a flat. She described being groomed before being passed between different men, leading to substance addiction as she tried to cope with her experiences.
Judge Ahmed Nadim criticised the authorities’ failure to act, noting that the girl’s mother had repeatedly reported her missing. He said police and social services either failed to understand what was happening or showed little interest in helping the victims.
Instead, he noted, officials had blamed the girls for their situation.
“If I had been listened to sooner, my life could have been different,” the victim told the court.
Detective chief inspector Vicky Greenbank praised the victims’ courage throughout the court process, noting that the abuse had robbed them of their childhood. She said the case sent a clear message that police would pursue justice regardless of when offences occurred.
The Crown Prosecution Service revealed that some of the men had targeted a vulnerable young girl, supplying her with Class A drugs and alcohol until she became dependent.
Michael Quinn from the CPS said, “These convictions send a very clear message that the CPS, working alongside law enforcement colleagues, will relentlessly pursue justice for victims and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, whenever that abuse took place.
“I encourage any victims of child sexual abuse and sexual violence to report the crimes committed against them. It is never too late to seek justice – you are not alone and there is help available”
A ninth man, aged 47, was found to have committed rape in a trial of facts but was deemed unfit to stand trial. He will be sentenced at a later date.
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.