77 Years For Rochdale Child Sex Gang

The nine men found guilty of operating a child sexual exploitation ring have been jailed for a total of 77 years.

The trial, which ended on Tuesday, heard how the men groomed young vulnerable girls in Rochdale. The five victims, the youngest of which was just 13 when the abuse began, were plied with food, alcohol, drugs and gifts so they could be passed around a group of men for sex.

The ringleader, a 59-year-old man from Oldham, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, received a 19-year term after being convicted of two rapes, aiding and abetting rape, sexual assault and trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation.

Kabeer Hassan, 25, of Oldham, was jailed for nine years for rape and three years, concurrently, for conspiracy. Hamid Safi, 22, an illegal immigrant of no fixed address, was jailed for four years for conspiracy and one year, concurrently, for trafficking.

The other men all came from Rochdale. Abdul Qayyum, 44, was jailed for five years for conspiracy. Mohammed Amin, 45, was sentenced to five years for conspiracy and 12 months, concurrently, for sexual assault. Adil Khan, 42, was given eight years for conspiracy and eight years, concurrently, for trafficking for sexual exploitation. Mohammed Sajid, 35, was sentenced to 12 years for rape, six years for conspiracy, one year for trafficking and six years, concurrently, for sexual activity with a child. Abdul Rauf, 43, a married father-of-five, was jailed for six years for conspiracy and six years, concurrently, for trafficking for sexual exploitation. Abdul Aziz, 41, a taxi driver, was sentenced to nine years for conspiracy and nine years, concurrently, for trafficking for sexual exploitation.

Greater Manchester police said further arrests could be made following the trial.

(H)