A depraved grooming gang of 20 men has been sentenced to a total of 219 years behind bars for the rape and abuse of vulnerable girls, some as young as 12.
The identities of the group were kept under wraps due to legal restrictions but have now been revealed after the judge lifted reporting restrictions.
This vile circle of 20 individuals systematically preyed on four young girls in Calderdale, West Yorkshire from 2001 to 2010.
The police were first alerted to the heinous crimes in 2016, sparking what was described as “extremely complex and sensitive investigations into a number of separate allegations.”
Initially, the investigation focused on claims by two girls who reported being sexually abused and exploited between 2006 and 2009, starting when they were just 13 years old, reports the Express.
Later in the same year, a third victim stepped forward alleging she had suffered abuse at the hands of the gang at age 13, prompting a second police investigation.
In a further chilling development, a fourth investigation commenced two years later when another girl recounted her ordeal of being abused at the tender age of 12 between 2001 and 2002.
Senior investigating officer, Detective Chief Inspector Claire Smith of Calderdale District Police, has praised the immense bravery of victims and survivors involved in recent investigations, saying: “Firstly, I want to acknowledge the sheer courage of the victims and survivors in each of these investigations; not only for having the bravery to come forward initially but also for enduring the criminal justice system and the weight of criminal trials and reporting restrictions in place.”
She noted the legal limitations that have prevented earlier publicity, stating: “Due to legal restrictions, it has not been possible to publicise these outcomes until now.”
DCI Smith welcomed the sentences given to the perpetrators, highlighting the severe abuse suffered by young girls: “I welcome the sentences handed to these offenders for the abhorrent abuse these young girls were subjected to, which was heard by the jurors in each trial over the last few years.”
She reaffirmed the commitment of West Yorkshire Police to tackling child sexual exploitation and abuse: “Tackling child sexual exploitation and abuse is a top priority for West Yorkshire Police and our partners.”
Describing the crime as abhorrent with lifelong impacts, she expressed hope that the prosecution of these offenders would serve as a deterrent: “This is an abhorrent crime which has a lifelong impact on victims and survivors.”
“I hope highlighting the prosecution of these offenders will serve as a reminder that we will continue to do all we can to put perpetrators behind bars and protect victims and survivors.”
Adding to her statement, DCI Smith emphasised that it’s never too late for victims of sexual abuse to seek help: He added that it is never too late for victims of sexual abuse to come forward.
She encouraged anyone who was abused as a child to speak out and seek support: He said: “I encourage anyone who was abused as a child to speak to someone and seek support.”
Finally, she assured that reports of non-recent abuse are handled with care by specially trained officers: “Reports of non-recent abuse are handled by officers who are specially trained in supporting victims and survivors and dealing with such sensitive cases.”
The sentences, which varied from 7 to 16 years, were delivered following six separate trials conducted between 2021 and 2024.
Two defendants, Nadeem Adalat, 39 and Vaseem Adalat, 38 who faced trial in January 2022, contested their convictions of 14 and 12 years respectively.
Both had an additional two years added to their sentence post-appeal.
Complete list of 20 individuals convicted.
Five men, all hailing from Halifax, were found guilty after the first trial, which commenced in October 2021 at Bradford Crown Court.
They included:.
Shahzad Nowaz, 45, who was convicted of rape and making threats to kill, receiving a total sentence of 11 years. -Nadeem Nassir, 44, also convicted of rape and making threats to kill, sentenced to a total of 11 years.
Sajid Adalat, 48, found guilty of rape and handed a total sentence of seven years.
Sohail Zaffer, 41, who pleaded guilty to rape and supply of a class C drug, sentenced to a total of 42 months.
Shazad Nazir, 49, found guilty of rape and given a total sentence of 11 years.
At a second trial, which began in January 2022, three other men – also from Halifax – were imprisoned for their involvement. They were:.
Nadeem Adalat, 39, found guilty of rape and sentenced to 14 years, which was increased to a total of 16 years after appeal.
Asad Mahmood, 38, found guilty of rape and sentenced to a total of 13 years.
Mohammed Rizwan Iqbal, 39, found guilty of rape and sentenced to a total of nine years.
Vaseem Adalat, 38, was convicted of rape and initially sentenced to 12 years. However, following an appeal, his sentence was extended to a total of 14 years and 6 months.
In 2016, police launched a separate investigation into reports of sexual abuse of a vulnerable young girl between 2002 and 2006, beginning when she was just 13 years old.
Following a trial in August 2022 at Bradford Crown Court, Amir Shaban, 48, from Halifax, was found guilty of rape and received a 10-year prison sentence.
A second trial involving the same victim commenced in October 2022 at Bradford Crown Court, resulting in the conviction of six additional men, all hailing from Halifax. These included:.
Malik Quadeer, 67, who was convicted on five counts of rape and sentenced to 22 years in prison.
Mohammed Ziarab, 55, who was found guilty of rape and given a 10-year sentence.
Imran Raja Yasin, 45, who was convicted of rape and sentenced to 10 years.
Kamran Amin, 48, who was found guilty of rape and handed a 10-year sentence.
Mohammed Akhtar, 54, who was convicted of rape and died in prison after receiving an 11-year sentence.
Saquab Hussain, 46, who was found guilty of rape and sentenced to seven years and six months.
A third trial involving the same victim began in January 2024 at Bradford Crown Court, leading to the convictions of three more men. They were:.
Haroon Sadiq, 40, from Halifax, who was found guilty on two counts of rape and sentenced to 10 years.
Shafiq Ali Rafiq, 44, from Dewsbury, who was found guilty on two counts of rape and sentenced to 12 years.
Sarfraz Rabnawaz, 39, from Bradford, was convicted of two counts of rape and handed a nine-year prison sentence.
In 2018, an inquiry began into the sexual abuse of a fourth girl, aged between 12 and 13, in the Calderdale area between 2001 and 2002.
Craig Mitchell, 55, from Halifax, was found guilty of rape at Bradford Crown Court and sentenced to 12 years behind bars.