A teenage victim of child sexual exploitation has described the lasting trauma of abuse by a grooming gang, saying she is too afraid to go out alone even four years later. Five offenders were jailed for a total of 81 years on Friday, September 25, for sexually exploiting and abusing three teenage girls in Rhyl between April 2022 and March 2024.
The victims, aged just 14, 15 and 16 at the time, were identified by their attackers, groomed with drugs and alcohol and taken advantage of. One of the females has chosen to speak publicly about the profound and lasting emotional effects of what she called "the most traumatic experience" she has ever faced, describing the "panic attacks and anxiety" she still suffers.
Victim describes fear of leaving the house
The now 19-year-old said in her victim impact statement: "I had no idea, quite how much impact this offence was going to have on my life and will continue to do so. I used to be very outgoing and happy but now I feel I am more cautious and quieter when I meet new people."
"I remember not long after this incident I went into Rhyl and saw the defendants living a normal life with their families and in college, but I was too afraid to even go out of the house in the fear that I had been targeted by older men."
"I have panic attacks and anxiety at the thought of going into Rhyl town centre. I will rarely go on my own, even after four years, and will often invite a friend with me. If my friends suggest Rhyl, I will always suggest somewhere else."
Sentences handed down to five offenders
"I am only 19 years old and have my whole life ahead of me. This has been the most traumatic experience I have ever faced. Although I feel that I have dealt with it well, I know that it is something I will never forget and will have to learn to live with," she added. "My hope is that, in time, I can come to terms with what has happened and move forward, allowing me to live as normal life as possible in the future."
The five defendants were found guilty of more than 40 offences and handed a combined prison sentence of 81 years. Ringleader Mustafa Iqbal, 43, of Trellewelyn Road, Rhyl, was sentenced to 30 years in prison, with an additional five years to be served on extended licence, after being convicted of four counts of rape, three counts of conspiracy to require a person to perform compulsory labour, three counts of sexual assault, three counts of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent, two counts of conspiracy to traffic, conspiracy to supply cannabis, conspiracy to supply cocaine, supplying cannabis, arranging or facilitating the travel of another person with a view to exploitation, and breaching a slavery/trafficking risk order.
Other defendants convicted
Mohamed Usman Arshad, 36, of Clifton Grove, Rhyl, was sentenced to 19 years after being convicted of three counts of rape, two counts of conspiracy to traffic, two counts of conspiracy to require a person to perform compulsory labour, and supplying cannabis. Ziaullah Badshah, 25, of Brighton Road, Rhyl, was sentenced to 17 years after being convicted of two counts of rape, two counts of conspiracy to traffic, two counts of conspiracy to require a person to perform compulsory labour, and supplying cannabis.
Jaswinder Singh, 61, of River Street, Rhyl, was sentenced to eight years after being convicted of two counts of conspiracy to traffic and one count of supplying cannabis. Sarah Gray, 53, of Llanasa Road, Gronant, was convicted of perverting the course of justice, assisting an offender, conspiracy to supply cocaine, and conspiracy to supply cannabis, and was sentenced to eight years in prison.
