Eight men have been charged with more than 30 offences as part of a grooming gang investigation, according to Gwent Police. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has authorised 34 charges, including 17 counts of rape, some of which relate to multiple alleged incidents.
Operation Oak Investigation
Operation Oak is a police investigation into reports of sexual abuse committed against children between 1985 and 1996. The charges relate to eight victims who were children at the time of the alleged offences. Detectives carried out a targeted operation on July 14, with police activity in Newport, Swansea, London, Birmingham, Lancashire, Edinburgh, and the Argyll and Bute area in Scotland.
The men, aged 54 to 73, are all British citizens and have been bailed to appear before Newport Magistrates’ Court on Friday, July 24.
Details of the Charges
The defendants and their charges are as follows:
- Shafaq Mohammed, 58, of Birmingham (Asian Pakistani): 11 offences including four counts of rape of a female under 16, three counts of rape of a female aged 16 or over, two counts of aiding and abetting rape of a female under 16, causing the prostitution of a girl under 16, and causing the prostitution of a woman.
- Syed Mohammad Ashan Taqvi, 65, of Newport (Asian Pakistani): three counts of rape of a female under 16.
- Mohammed Sheikh Abdul Hannan, 54, of Edinburgh (British Bangladeshi): two counts of rape of a female aged 16 or over, indecent assault on a woman over 16, three counts of aiding and abetting rape of a female under 16 or over, and two counts of conspiring to rape a woman aged 16 or over.
- Kevin Lawrence, 54, of Dunoon (White European): two counts of conspiring to rape a woman aged 16 or over and causing the prostitution of a woman.
- Sheikh Mohammed Tahir Ullah, 73, of Newport (Asian Bangladeshi): one count of rape of a female aged 16 or over and one count of rape of a female under 16.
- Aminur Rahman Chowdhury, 58, of Tottenham, London (Asian Bangladeshi): one count of rape of a female aged 16 or over.
- Shakeel Babur, 58, of Lancashire (British Pakistani): four counts of indecent assault on a girl under 16.
- Murad Ali, 57, of Swansea (Asian Pakistani): two counts of rape of a female under 16.
Police and CPS Statements
Detective Chief Superintendent Andrew Tuck said: “Operation Oak is a complex and long-running investigation into group-based child sexual exploitation in south Wales. Through our partnership with the CPS, we have now reached this significant stage in which eight men have been charged.”
Tuck emphasised the importance of supporting victims: “At the heart of our investigation has been supporting victims. Together with specialist agencies, we are continuing to provide support to them.” He also urged the public not to post on social media anything that could impact court proceedings, stating: “I know investigations of this nature are likely to cause concern in our communities but it’s vital to the victims in this case and the integrity of the investigation that nothing is posted on social media which could impact the court proceedings.”
Chief Crown Prosecutor Jenny Hopkins added: “We have decided to prosecute eight men with rape and child sexual abuse charges for alleged offending during 1985 to 1996 – following a Gwent Police investigation into organised grooming gang activity in South Wales.” She confirmed that prosecutors established sufficient evidence and that it was in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings. Hopkins reminded the public that the defendants have the right to a fair trial and that no reporting or commentary should prejudice the proceedings.
Impact and Next Steps
The men are bailed to appear in court on July 24. Gwent Police continue to support the victims and urge anyone who has suffered abuse to come forward, promising to listen and investigate all offences.
