Shabir Ahmed, 73, the ringleader of the Rochdale grooming gang, was released from prison today after serving 14 years for the rape of 30 children. Despite having his British citizenship revoked, he cannot be deported from the UK due to the Immigration Act 1971, which protects Commonwealth citizens who entered the country before 1973.
Details of Ahmed's Crimes and Sentence
Ahmed was imprisoned in 2012 for concurrent sentences of 22 and 19 years. He was among nine men found guilty of sexual offences against children groomed at two takeaway establishments in Rochdale. Prosecutors identified Ahmed as one of the group's ringleaders. During his trial, the court heard he violated one girl for over a decade, treating her as a "possession" for his sexual satisfaction.
Release Conditions and Victim Notification
Victims of Ahmed were reportedly notified via email of his impending release. The Victim Contact scheme informed them that Ahmed will be subject to an exclusion zone covering the entire borough of Rochdale until June 10, 2034. He will also be on the sex offenders' register for life, ordered to stay away from his victims, and banned from contacting any child or young person. His movements will be tracked via an electronic tag, and he faces strict curfews and restriction zones. Breaching conditions will result in immediate imprisonment.
Deportation Obstacles
The email to victims stated that all potential avenues to deport Ahmed had been explored, but it is not possible because he renounced his Pakistani citizenship. If Ahmed leaves the UK, he will be prohibited from re-entering the country. For over a year, the Home Office attempted to convince Pakistan to accept Ahmed and other Rochdale grooming gang members who lost British citizenship but renounced their Pakistani citizenship.
Home Office Statement
A Home Office spokesperson said: "Our thoughts are first and foremost with the victims of these appalling crimes. Ahmed's horrific crimes were at the heart of the grooming gangs scandal that represents one of the darkest moments in our country's history. The most vulnerable people were abused and exploited at the hands of evil child rapists and must face the full force of the law."
