OLDHAM PAEDOPHILE GANG SENTENCED TO 42 YEARS FOR SEXUAL ABUSE IN MANCHESTER AND ROCHDALE

In a significant crackdown on child exploitation, four men of Pakistani descent involved in the sexual abuse of vulnerable underage girls have been sentenced to a combined total of 42 years in prison. The crimes, which spanned nearly a decade, took place across various locations including Oldham, Rochdale, and Manchester, highlighting the extent of the grooming and exploitation network.

One of the convicted individuals, Shahaib Shabbir, aged 29, from Schofield Street in Oldham, was found guilty of serious sexual offenses after a trial at Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court. Despite his refusal to admit guilt, the jury convicted him of rape and two counts of sexual activity with a child. At the time of the offenses, Shabbir was employed as a radio operator with a taxi company based in Heywood. He was sentenced to seven years in prison.

Judge Stuart Driver addressed the court, emphasizing that the four men had all engaged in grooming and corrupting a young girl who was only 14 years old when some of the abuse occurred. The judge noted the girl’s troubled background, having been in care in Scotland from the age of three and later moved to Rochdale at age 12, in what was hoped to be a safer environment. However, the court heard that her safety was compromised, and her life was deeply affected by the abuse.

During the proceedings, both victims observed the court case—one sitting in the courtroom and the other participating via video link. The first victim provided a heartfelt statement, describing the lasting impact of the abuse: “These men made my life miserable. They made my life miserable when I was living in the Manchester area, and it’s continued to be miserable now. For ten years they have made my life miserable.”

Gul Zaman, aged 44, who pleaded guilty to raping the first girl when she was between 14 and 15 years old, and to paying for sexual services from the second girl on at least 40 occasions, received a 15-year extended sentence. Zaman, who has no fixed address, was classified as a dangerous offender, meaning he will serve a minimum of seven years before being eligible for parole.

Another defendant, Mohammed Ishaque, aged 56 from Milnrow Road in Rochdale, was sentenced to 11 years in prison. The court revealed that Ishaque operated rudimentary brothels from his residence, employing young females as prostitutes. On one occasion, he caused the first girl to engage in sexual acts with multiple men at his house when she was approximately 15 or 16 years old. Ishaque pleaded guilty to four counts of causing child prostitution—one involving the first girl and three involving the second victim—as well as additional charges of paying for the sexual services of a child and rape.

Irshad Wani, aged 35 from Whitworth Road in Rochdale, was convicted by a jury of four counts of sexual activity with a child. He was sentenced to nine years in prison. Wani’s involvement included taking the first girl to house parties where she was given alcohol and drugs by older men, eventually leading to a full sexual relationship with her.

These convictions underscore the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat child exploitation and bring perpetrators to justice, especially in cases involving grooming, sexual abuse, and trafficking across Greater Manchester and surrounding areas.