PAEDOPHILE ATTACKS CHILD AT ROTHERHAM BUS STOP
A man has formally admitted to indecently assaulting a young girl in the town of Rotherham, highlighting a disturbing chapter in the ongoing investigation into child abuse in the area.Ishtiaq Khaliq, aged 40 and previously residing in Rotherham, appeared before Sheffield Crown Court where he pleaded guilty to charges of indecent assault and theft of a mobile phone.
The incidents in question are believed to have occurred during the early 2000s, a period when the victim was only 13 or 14 years old.
The case is part of a broader investigation conducted by the National Crime Agency (NCA), known as Operation Stovewood, which was launched to scrutinize allegations of non-familial child sexual abuse in Rotherham spanning from 1997 to 2013.
This operation uncovered a series of disturbing cases involving abuse by multiple offenders over a lengthy period.
Khaliq’s criminal history is already marked by a significant sentence; he is currently serving a 17-year prison term for other child sexual abuse offences, which were uncovered through a separate investigation.
His latest guilty plea relates specifically to the charges of indecent assault under the Sexual Offences Act 1956, as well as the theft of a mobile phone, which he committed during the same period.
The court proceedings took place on Wednesday, and Khaliq is scheduled to be sentenced on December 14 at Sheffield Crown Court.
The case has garnered considerable attention due to the serious nature of the offences and the ongoing efforts to address and bring justice to victims of child abuse in Rotherham.
A spokesperson for the NCA issued a statement emphasising the significance of the case: “A man has admitted indecently assaulting a girl in Rotherham in the early 2000s, following an investigation by the National Crime Agency.
Ishtiaq Khaliq, aged 40 and formerly of Rotherham, pleaded guilty to charges of indecent assault under the Sexual Offences Act 1956 and theft of a mobile phone at a hearing at Sheffield Crown Court yesterday (22 November).” The spokesperson further explained that the charges relate to a victim who was only 13 or 14 years old at the time, and that the case is part of the extensive inquiry into child sexual abuse in the area.
The investigation continues as authorities seek to ensure justice for all victims involved.
