CALDERDALE GANG JAILED FOR GROOMING AND ABUSING GIRLS
A Halifax-based gang of fifteen men responsible for grooming and abusing teenage girls have been sentenced in court.The defendants, convicted of offences like rape, grooming, and trafficking, appeared at Leeds Crown Court after three separate trials.
The prosecution acknowledged the bravery of the two victims who provided evidence despite the risks involved.
The most severe punishment was a 25-year prison term, following an extensive and complicated investigation.
The CPS stated that between 2009 and 2011, these men exploited a young girl in Halifax and Bradford, with one victim assaulted in a car.
Another girl was systematically groomed and exploited by multiple older men who drugged and drank around her, some acting together.
Police revealed that the initial reports of abuse came in 2012, with one victim aged 15 at the time, and that further evidence came from a second girl.
The main victim was just 13 when her ordeal began.
Hailing from a troubled, drug- and alcohol-affected family, her abuse ceased in 2011, after which she entered social care.
Now aged 21 and living with her child, she resides far from Calderdale.
This case is marked as the largest and most prolonged child sexual exploitation investigation in Calderdale's history.
Authorities conducted nearly 60 hours of interviews with victims, processed thousands of exhibits, and examined countless items of evidence.
In total, 25 men faced charges, with four acquitted by a jury and three cleared on judicial orders.
Prosecutor Peter Mann highlighted the significant bravery of the victims and the scale and complexity of this lengthy case.
The defendants include: - Hedar Ali, 36, of Bradford, sentenced to 25 years for rape and trafficking.
- Haider Ali, 41, of Halifax, sentenced for 20 years for sexual activity with a minor and related offenses.
- Khalid Zaman, 38, of Bradford, received 17.5 years after being convicted of rape and drug offenses.
- Mohammed Ramzan, 35, of Bradford, jailed for 15 years for rape.
- Haaris Ahmed, 32, of Halifax, sentenced to over 12 years for sexual misconduct and drug supply.
- Tahir Mahmood, 43, of Halifax, received an 11-year term for sexual activity and assault.
- Taukeer Butt, 31, of Halifax, with a 10-year sentence for multiple sexual offenses.
- Amaar Ali Ditta, 27, of Halifax, given nine years for sexual activity.
- Azeem Subhani, 25, of Halifax, also received a nine-year sentence.
- Talib Saddiq, 31, of Halifax, jailed for eight years.
- Sikander Malik, 31, of Halifax, received a seven-year term.
- Mohammed Ali Ahmed, 43, of Halifax, sentenced for over six years.
- Aftab Hussain, 37, of Halifax, jailed after pleading guilty to sexual charges.
- Mansoor Akhtar, 25, of Huddersfield, received six years following charges involving sexual activity and drug supply.
- Sikander Ishaq, 31, of Halifax, sentenced to six years.
- Fasil Mahmood, 37, of Halifax, received ten months for drug trafficking.
- Farquaan Gafar, 31, of Derby, admitted to sexual touching and awaits sentencing.
A decision on another individual's case has been postponed until next week.