Elizabeth Harper, a grooming gang survivor whose rapist was released early from prison, has said the 'fear is real' after Rochdale rape ringleader Shabir Ahmed walked free today. Ahmed, 73, who served 14 years for multiple rape and sexual offences against young girls, was freed from HMP Leeds. His victims say they are still living in fear after learning he cannot be deported due to a loophole in the Immigration Act 1971.
Victim's rapist spotted near her home
Elizabeth's rapist, Asghar Bostan, was released from prison in August 2022 after being jailed for rape in 2018. Like Ahmed, Bostan's licence conditions prohibited him from returning to Rotherham. However, in January 2024, a friend spotted Bostan less than a mile from Elizabeth's home. He was arrested and recalled to a category B prison for breaching his parole conditions. Elizabeth said she felt 'sick' at the time and told Metro: 'The fear is real, and it does come true sometimes.'
System 'not working' for victims
Asked about Ahmed's release, Elizabeth said: 'It just goes to show how the system really isn't working. We are talking about an individual who organised a gang. He was the top of the hierarchy. I just feel like again we are seeing the poor victims are at the bottom of the pile.' Lawmakers have admitted that the Immigration Act 1971 prevented Ahmed's deportation to Pakistan, even though he has been stripped of British citizenship. Elizabeth called this 'absolutely disgusting' and added: 'These loopholes keep appearing every time it is about grooming gangs. The loopholes need to be closed.'
Political response and victim fears
Andy Burnham, the Labour leader-in-waiting, said if he becomes prime minister 'nothing is off the table' to deport Ahmed. He wrote on X: 'Like everyone, I want this vile criminal out of the country. Victims must come first. I will ask the Home and Foreign Secretaries to review all possible options – and they should consider nothing is off the table.' Another victim, identified only as 'Ruby', supported by The Maggie Oliver Foundation, said: 'I'm scared for my safety and my kids' safety. The main ringleader is getting out of prison, who is well known in Rochdale, Oldham and Middleton, so even if he's not in that area, he still knows people and has a chance to talk to people from that area and that makes me unsafe.' Ruby called for a change in the law to deport grooming gang members, saying victims had been given 'false promises' and left to 'fend for themselves'.
Local council and Home Office statements
Neil Emmott, leader of Rochdale council, said he was 'deeply troubled' and hoped Ahmed would not be allowed into the borough. He stated: 'If he is seen in our borough, I will demand that he is sent back to prison immediately. As far as I'm concerned, they should have locked him up and thrown away the key.' A Home Office spokeswoman said: 'Our thoughts are first and foremost with the victims of these appalling crimes. On his release he will be on the sex offenders register for life, ordered to stay away from his victims and banned from contacting any child or young person. As well as facing strict curfews and restriction zones, his every movement will be tracked, forced to wear an electronic tag. Should he breach his conditions, he will be immediately locked up.'
Background on Shabir Ahmed
Ahmed worked as a taxi driver and was employed by Oldham Council as a benefits rights worker, seconded to the Oldham Pakistani Community Centre. At his trial, he called the judge a 'racist bastard' and took his case to the European Court of Human Rights, claiming he did not get a fair trial. He was jailed for 19 years in 2012 at Liverpool Crown Court, one of nine men convicted of offences against five girls. Police said the victims were from 'chaotic council estate backgrounds' and as many as 50 girls could have been victims. Judge Gerald Clifton said victims were treated 'as though they were worthless and beyond any respect' because they were not part of the gang's community or religion.
