SHOLAN JAMES AND OTHERS SENTENCED IN HUDDERSFIELD CHILD SEX ABUSE CASE

In a significant development in the fight against child sexual abuse, three men have been sentenced to a combined total of over 37 years in prison for their involvement in heinous crimes committed against two young women in Huddersfield. The convictions stem from an extensive investigation by West Yorkshire Police under the operation named Tendersea, which was specifically launched to uncover and address historical sexual offences involving vulnerable females in the Huddersfield area.

On Thursday, 19 August, Leeds Crown Court handed down the sentences to the three offenders, who had targeted victims aged between 15 and 20 over a period spanning from 2007 to 2014. The offenders are Zahid Hassan, aged 32, Saqib Raheel, aged 34, and Sholan James, aged 30. Each of these men was found guilty of multiple sexual offences, including rape and attempted rape, against the victims, who were targeted separately and at different times.

Zahid Hassan, a resident of Huddersfield, received a sentence of 21 years after being convicted of two counts of rape against one victim when she was 18 years old. Additionally, he was found guilty of two rapes and an attempted rape involving a second victim, who was between 16 and 20 years old at the time. Hassan's sentence will be served concurrently with an existing 18-year sentence he is currently serving for previous offences, highlighting a pattern of criminal behavior.

Saqib Raheel, from Cradley Heath in the West Midlands, was sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison. His conviction involved the rape and sexual assault of a 15-year-old girl, further emphasizing the disturbing nature of these crimes.

Sholan James, of New House Road in Huddersfield, was sentenced to six years for a sexual offence committed against a 15-year-old victim. His conviction adds to the ongoing efforts to bring justice to victims of sexual exploitation in the region.

Commenting on the convictions, Detective Chief Inspector Ian Thornes of Kirklees District Police emphasized the importance of the ongoing investigation. He stated, "Operation Tendersea remains a major ongoing investigation into appalling non-recent sexual abuse of a number of vulnerable females in the Huddersfield area. Every conviction and sentencing represents another milestone in securing justice for these brave women."

He further praised the victims for their courage in coming forward, saying, "In coming forwards as they have done, they are playing a key role in getting these men off our streets and making them answer for their dreadful crimes." Detective Thornes also issued a stern warning to potential offenders, underscoring the seriousness with which the police and judicial system treat such crimes. "The length of the sentences the courts are imposing in these cases strongly reflects how seriously the police and justice system treat sexual exploitation and abuse of this kind and should serve as a stark warning to perpetrators. You will be caught and I can promise we will do everything we can to put you away for a very long time.""