MOHIBUR RAHMAN AND OTHERS INDICTED IN NEWCASTLE SEX ABUSE RING

A disturbing case involving the systematic exploitation of young girls has culminated in the conviction of eighteen individuals in Newcastle, revealing a deeply troubling network of abuse and manipulation. The victims, some as young as 14, were targeted by what court descriptions have labeled a 'cynical organisation' that preyed on their vulnerabilities.

Over the course of four separate trials, evidence was presented from twenty young women who recounted their experiences spanning from 2011 to 2014. The defendants, comprising 17 men and one woman, faced a total of more than 100 charges, including rape, drug distribution, conspiracy to facilitate prostitution, and other related offenses. The proceedings identified individuals from diverse backgrounds, including Bangladeshi, Pakistani, Indian, Iraqi, Iranian, and Turkish communities, with most of the accused being British-born residents of Newcastle’s West End.

Among those prosecuted, four individuals have already received prison sentences, while the remaining defendants are scheduled for sentencing next month. During the court process, it was also disclosed that police had paid a convicted child rapist, Bahmani Ahmadi, a sum of £10,000 as an informant, raising questions about the integrity of the investigation.

The court heard that initially, the victims were flattered by the attention of the men who appeared to be their friends. However, this seemingly benign interaction quickly turned sinister as they were lured into parties, often referred to as 'sessions,' where alcohol and drugs, notably mephedrone (commonly known as M-Kat), were readily available. Evidence indicated that bags of M-Kat were left openly on coffee tables, encouraging the girls to help themselves. These gatherings took place at various locations around the West End, including the upper floors of a tower block known as Todd's Nook, where one teenage girl testified she was raped three times.

The prosecution described the victims as being passed between different abusers within an organized, systematic framework designed to exploit their vulnerabilities. Many victims reported being too intoxicated to resist or defend themselves, with some becoming addicted to drugs and feeling compelled to perform sexual acts in exchange for substances. One victim recounted attending approximately 60 parties, while another described being taken to an address where she encountered two older men and a woman who appeared 'frightened and scared, like a slave.' She recounted that they threatened her with violence if she refused to comply.

Another victim explained that she understood that if she wanted drugs or alcohol, she would have to engage in sexual acts. She described being too intoxicated to fight off an attacker, who once locked the door and told her she could only leave if she had sex. These accounts highlight the coercive environment created by the perpetrators, who systematically preyed on vulnerable young women.

In response to these crimes, Northumbria Police launched Operation Sanctuary in December 2013, an extensive investigation into allegations of sexual abuse against girls and young women. The operation remains ongoing, having resulted in 461 arrests, with police speaking to 703 potential complainants and identifying 278 victims to date. Due to the investigation's scale, it was divided into several specialized units, including Operation Shelter, which uncovered groups of men in the West End of Newcastle exploiting young women over a period from 2010 to 2014.

This investigation led to multiple trials, the first beginning in September 2015, with the most recent concluding recently, allowing previous reporting restrictions to be lifted. The case also brought to light the failure of some police officers to adequately investigate certain leads. Notably, a police officer was dismissed for neglecting to follow up on a sex offender’s phone, related to an earlier phase of Operation Sanctuary involving the conviction of Bahmani Ahmadi. Police Chief Constable Steve Ashman emphasized that such failures are unacceptable and assured the public that the police culture in Northumbria has since been strengthened.

Among the eighteen individuals convicted, Mohibur Rahman, aged 44 and residing on Northcote Street, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to incite prostitution and supplying drugs to a victim. Other notable convictions include Saiful Islam, who received a ten-year sentence for rape, and Mohammed Hassan Ali, jailed for seven years for sexual activity with a child and drug offenses. The list of convicted individuals also features Abdulhamid Minoyee, who was found guilty of rape and drug supply, and several others involved in trafficking, conspiracy, and assault.

The case has cast a spotlight on the organized nature of the abuse and the systemic failures that allowed such exploitation to occur. Authorities continue to emphasize their commitment to bringing perpetrators to justice and safeguarding vulnerable populations from similar crimes in the future.