Gwent Police have charged a ninth man as part of Operation Oak, the force's investigation into group-based child sexual exploitation that occurred between 1985 and 1996. Mohammed Ramzan, aged 76, from Newport, faces seven charges including two counts of rape of a female under 16, three counts of indecent assault on a girl under 16, causing the prostitution of a girl under 16, and conspiracy to rape a girl under 16. Some rape charges relate to multiple incidents, police said.
Nine Men Charged with 41 Offences
In total, nine men aged between 54 and 76 have now been charged with 41 offences relating to eight alleged victims, who were all children at the time of the reported abuse. The men are due to appear before Newport Magistrates' Court on Friday, July 24. Alongside Ramzan, those charged include Shafaq Mohammed, 58, of Birmingham, who faces 11 charges including four counts of rape of a female under 16 and three counts of rape of a female aged 16 or over.
Syed Mohammad Ashan Taqvi, 65, of Newport, has been charged with three counts of rape of a female under 16. Mohammed Sheikh Abdul Hannan, 54, of Edinburgh, faces two counts of rape of a female aged 16 or over, indecent assault, and multiple aiding and abetting charges. Kevin Lawrence, 54, of Dunoon, is charged with two counts of conspiracy to rape a woman aged 16 or over and causing prostitution.
Further Defendants and Ethnicities
Sheikh Mohammed Tahir Ullah, 73, of Newport, faces one count each of rape of a female aged 16 or over and rape of a female under 16. Aminur Rahman Chowdhury, 58, of Tottenham, London, is charged with one count of rape of a female aged 16 or over. Shakeel Babur, 58, of Lancashire, faces four counts of indecent assault on a girl under 16. Murad Ali, 57, of Swansea, is charged with two counts of rape of a female under 16.
All defendants have self-defined ethnicities: Ramzan, Mohammed, Taqvi, and Ali as Asian Pakistani; Hannan, Chowdhury, and Ullah as Asian Bangladeshi; Lawrence as White European; and Babur as British Pakistani.
Police Statement and Appeal
Detective Chief Superintendent Andrew Tuck from Gwent Police said: "We continue to support the victims in this case alongside specialist agencies. I understand that investigations of this nature can cause concern in our communities. However, it is vital for the victims in this case, and for the integrity of the investigation, that nothing is posted on social media that could affect the court proceedings."
Tuck added: "Anyone who reports child abuse will be taken seriously. We urge anyone who has experienced abuse, or who is concerned that someone may be suffering, to come forward. We will listen, investigate all offences and make sure you can access the help and support you need."
To report child abuse, contact Gwent Police online or by calling 101. In immediate danger, call 999.
