SAIFUL ISLAM AND NEWCASTLE GANG EXPOSED IN SHOCKING SEXUAL ABUSE SCANDAL

A disturbing case has come to light involving the systematic exploitation and abuse of young girls in Newcastle, with 18 individuals convicted for their roles in a heinous network that targeted vulnerable victims. The court proceedings revealed that these victims, some as young as 14, were manipulated by a group described as a 'cynical organisation' that preyed on their innocence and trust.

Over the course of four separate trials, evidence was presented from 20 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, supplying drugs, conspiracy to incite prostitution, and trafficking. The accused hailed from diverse backgrounds, including Bangladeshi, Pakistani, Indian, Iraqi, Iranian, and Turkish communities, with most residing in the West End of Newcastle. Among the 26 individuals prosecuted, four have already been sentenced to prison, while the remaining defendants are awaiting sentencing scheduled for the following month.

During the court proceedings, 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 victims initially found the attention from these men flattering, believing they had formed genuine friendships. However, their perceptions quickly changed 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 showed that bags of M-Kat were left openly on coffee tables, encouraging the girls to help themselves.

The parties were held at various locations around the West End, including the top floor of a tower block known as Todd's Nook. One teenage girl recounted being raped three times at this location. Prosecutors described the victims as being passed between their abusers within an organized, systematic operation designed to exploit their vulnerabilities. Many victims testified that they were too intoxicated to resist or defend themselves, with some becoming addicted and feeling compelled to perform sexual acts in exchange for drugs.

One victim detailed her experience of 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 being told what she would have to do for money and drugs, with threats of violence if she refused. Another girl explained that she understood that if she wanted access to drugs or alcohol, she would have to comply with the demands of her abusers, often being too intoxicated to fight back. In one disturbing account, a victim said that her captor locked the door and told her she could only leave if she engaged in sexual acts.

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 in Newcastle. To date, the operation has resulted in 461 arrests, with police speaking to 703 potential complainants and identifying 278 victims. Due to the investigation's scale, it was divided into several spin-off operations, including Operation Shelter, which uncovered groups of men in the West End of Newcastle who exploited young women over a period from 2010 to 2014.

This led to multiple trials, the first beginning in September 2015, with the most recent concluding recently, allowing previous reporting restrictions to be lifted. The investigation uncovered a network of men, many of whom knew each other, involved in the systematic abuse of vulnerable girls and young women.

One particularly vulnerable victim, Sarah (not her real name), aged 19, was unable to care for herself and was frequently abused by older men. In early 2014, she reported to police that she had been raped by Abdul Minoyee. A police officer then conducted a tour of the West End to locate Minoyee’s residence and other locations where these 'parties' had taken place. Sarah’s testimony was a red flag, indicating a much larger scale of abuse. The detective leading her case later informed superiors that her account suggested a widespread operation.

Further investigations revealed that two girls in care, aged 14 and 15, had been repeatedly raped by groups of older Asian men who drove them into Newcastle, supplied them with alcohol and cocaine, and subjected them to beatings and sexual assault. These girls were then given money before being returned to their homes. The case prompted Newcastle City Council to initiate a serious case review, which is scheduled for publication in December. Council leader Nick Forbes condemned the crimes, describing them as 'vile' and commending the bravery of the victims for coming forward.

Chief Constable Steve Ashman emphasized the police’s unwavering commitment to tackling such crimes, stating, 'We have not and will not stop. There has been no political correctness here. These are criminals and there has been no hesitation in arresting them and targeting them using all the means at our disposal.'

As reporting restrictions are now lifted, it has been revealed that a police officer was dismissed for failing to investigate a sex offender’s phone during an earlier phase of Operation Sanctuary. This failure was linked to the conviction of Bahmani Ahmadi, highlighting ongoing efforts to improve police diligence and accountability in handling such cases.

Among those convicted, Saiful Islam, aged 34, of Strathmore Crescent, received a 10-year prison sentence after being found guilty of rape. Other notable convictions include Mohammed Azram, 35, of Croydon Road, for conspiracy to incite prostitution, sexual assault, and supplying drugs; and Abdulhamid Minoyee, 33, of Gainsborough Grove, for rape, sexual assault, and drug supply. Several others received sentences ranging from two to seven years for their involvement in this organized network of exploitation. The case underscores the severity of the crimes committed and the ongoing efforts by authorities to bring justice to the victims and dismantle such criminal enterprises in Newcastle.