Nine men have been sentenced to between 11 and 25 years in prison for a series of serious sexual offences against teenage girls in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. The abuse, which included rape, took place between 2005 and 2013, targeting vulnerable girls aged 13 to 22.
The men were convicted last month after two trials at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court, lasting a total of 15 weeks. A tenth man had previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced in September. Judge John Potter praised the victims for their “bravery, courage and fortitude,” with three victims present in court as the sentences were read out to applause from the public gallery.
The case came to light after the principal victim, described as an “extremely vulnerable young woman” with a learning disability, walked into a police station in 2012 claiming knowledge of “Rochdale grooming.” She reported being repeatedly sexually groomed by numerous men from the area when she was 14 and 15, with her phone number passed around for men to contact her.
The men were charged under Operation Doublet, a police investigation into child sexual exploitation in Rochdale that has led to over 100 arrests. Detective Chief Inspector Jamie Daniels commended the victims for their bravery, noting that child sexual abuse is “a social problem” requiring multi-agency efforts. One victim described the “brilliant relief” of finally being believed.
Among those sentenced were Afraz Ahmed, 33, who received 25 years for rape and conspiracy to rape; a 40-year-old unnamed defendant who got 23 years for rape and attempted abduction; and Choudry Ikhalaq Hussain, 38, sentenced to 19 years in his absence after fleeing to Pakistan. Others received sentences ranging from 11 to 16 years.
