Seven men at the centre of the Rotherham child grooming scandal have been jailed for a combined total of 106 years for the rape and sexual exploitation of two girls who were aged 11 and 15 at the time.
The seven defendants were found guilty following a trial in Sheffield Crown Court of child sex abuse offences committed between April 2003 and April 2008.
A sentencing hearing today heard that the British-Pakistani men Yasser Ajaib, (39),Mohammed Amar( 42), Mohammed Siyab (49), Mohammed Zameer Sadiq (49), Abid Saddiq (43), Tahir Yasin(38), and Ramin Bari(37) sexually abused the two young girls in Rotherham in the early 2000s.
The men were convicted under Operation Stovewood with prosecutors referring to them as being “responsible for some of the worst offending” the operation has uncovered.
GB News reporter Charlie Peters said that Mr Justice Slater opened proceedings by stating that only a “lengthy determinate sentence” would be appropriate in all of their cases.
“She told them: ‘I am your karma!’”
— GB News (@GBNEWS) September 13, 2024
GB News’ National Reporter @CDP1882 on the sentencing of seven men after a nine-week trial into child abuse, and the defiant statement given to them by the victim.
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Mohammed Amar who was convicted of two counts of indecent assault earlier this year received a 16 years jailed sentence, with two years on extended licence.
Yasser Ajaib, who was convicted of one count of indecent assault, received a 6 year jail term with 12 months on extended licence.
Mohammed Zameer Sadiq, who was convicted of one count of rape and one count of sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of 13 years, was given 15 years imprisonment, 12 months on extended licence.
Mohammed Siyab, who was described by Mr Justice Slater as a “persistent and cruel sexual offender” and had he sentence translated for him by an Urdu interpreter was convicted of two counts of rape, one count of sexual intercourse with a girl under 13 years, as well as one count of trafficking, was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment, with 12 months on licence.
Top left to right: Abid Saddiq, Mohammed Amar, Mohammed Siyab, Mohammed Zameer Sadiq,
Bottom left to right: Ramin Bari, Tahir Yassin, Yasser Ajaibe
Abid Saddiq, who has previous convictions for rape and indecent assault from 2019 and is already serving a 20 year prison sentence after being convicted as part of a separate sub-operation, was convicted of three counts of rape and one of indecent assault, was jailed for 24 years with a further extended 12 months licence.
Tahir Yasin, who was convicted of eight counts of rape, was sentenced to 13 years imprisonment, with each count of rape to run concurrently.
Mr Justice Slater commented that Yasin was a “sexual opportunist rather than a predator,” and that he “took full advantage of this vulnerable complainant.”
Ramin Bari, who was convicted of four counts of rape on two separate occasions at a hotel, was sentenced to 9 years behind bars.
This was one of the most extraordinary and emotive experiences I’ve had as a journalist.
Seven convicted sex abusers sat silently in the dock – many looking to their families in the public gallery or glumly staring at the floor – as a survivor of the ‘harrowing’ ordeal they…
— Charlie Peters (@CDP1882) September 13, 2024
Zoe Becker, of the UK’s Child Protective Service (CPS)said: “These seven men deliberately preyed on two young girls they knew were vulnerable and, using drugs and alcohol, exploited them for their own sexual gratification.
“The cruelty and abuse the victims suffered at the hands of these defendants was horrific and has continued to have a lasting impact on their lives today.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank both the victims for coming forward and giving evidence. This has been a complex and challenging case, and it is because of their courage and fortitude that we have been able to bring these offenders to justice.
“I hope these convictions send a clear message that the CPS, working closely alongside law enforcement, will relentlessly pursue justice and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, whenever that abuse took place.
“All children have the right to feel safe and protected. I encourage anyone who has been in a similar position to come forward to report these incidents to the police. It is never too late to seek justice – you are not alone and there is help available.”she said.
The CPS said, “The girls were abused by the defendants: with Amar, Ajaibe, Sadiq and Sayib abusing one victim, and Yassin and Bari abusing the other. Saddiq abused both girls.
The defendants regularly picked up the victims in their cars and gave them cigarettes, alcohol, cannabis and money. The girls would then be assaulted, forced to perform sexual acts or raped.
When presented with the large amount of evidence compiled by the prosecution, the jury found the defendants guilty.
The victims involved were able to give their best evidence for this case using special measures. This allowed one of the victims to have their cross-examination video-recorded before the full trial, away from the courtroom and the defendants.
To deal with some of the more complex and challenging child sexual abuse cases like this, the CPS has a dedicated Organised Child Sexual Abuse Unit to build and conduct strong cases, increase the amount of successful prosecutions and share specialist understanding nationally.”
British National Crime Agency Senior Investigating Officer Stuart Cobb said: “These men were cruel and manipulative, grooming their victims and then exploiting them by subjecting them to the most harrowing abuse possible. They were responsible for some of the worst offending we have investigated under Operation Stovewood.
“I can only once again pay tribute to the victims who were brave enough to come forward, tell their stories and confront their abusers. What happened to them can never be undone, but I hope the sentences handed down here will at least give them a sense that their abusers have been held to account and justice has been done.
“We and our partners will continue to do all we can to support them going forward.”