Friday 8 April 2016

The men, most of whom were found guilty after trials in Manchester, have been sentenced to a combined total of 125 years in jail.
15:00, UK,Friday 08 April 2016
Ten men who committed sexual offences against young girls in Rochdale have been jailed - with a judge sentencing them to more than 125 years behind bars.
Their convictions relate to crimes against eight people who were aged between 13 and 23 at the time.
A massive investigation into the gang began when one of their teenage victims walked into a police station.
She told detectives that she had been repeatedly groomed by the group from the age of 14, and said "hundreds" of men would ring her up for sex.
That victim, who was white and had learning difficulties, was described as an "extremely vulnerable young woman" who had endured a "very difficult home life" in the Greater Manchester town.
Her statement prompted seven other complainants to come forward and give evidence during two trials which led to the convictions of the defendants, many of whom are of Pakistani or Bangladeshi heritage.
Afraz Ahmed, 33, was sentenced to 25 years' imprisonment after being found guilty of various sexual offences against five underage victims, including rape and sexual activity with a child.
A 40-year-old man, who cannot be named, was jailed for 23 years after being convicted of rape and attempting to abduct a child. His crimes affected three victims, and he will be forced to serve a further eight years on extended licence upon release.
One of the men, Choudry Ikhalaq Hussein, was sentenced in his absence to 19 years for rape, conspiracy to rape and sexual activity with a child. The 38-year-old is believed to have absconded to Pakistan as the trial took place.
Six others - Rehan Ali, Kutab Miah, Abid Khan, Mohammed Zahid, Mohammed Dauood and David Law - also received custodial sentences at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court.
A tenth man, Mahfuz Rahman, had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to three counts of sexual activity with a child, and was subsequently jailed for five-and-a-half years last September.
Most of their offences took place between 2004 and 2008.
Following the sentencing, Detective Chief Inspector Jamie Daniels of Greater Manchester Police said: "This was an extremely complex case and I want to commend the victims for the immense bravery they have shown - only with their support have we arrived at this point.
"The process can be emotionally demanding and traumatic for the victims and we do not underestimate the courage this took.
"Child sexual exploitation is more than a criminal issue - it is a social problem that we are working closely with our partners to tackle on many levels … these are victim-led investigations and care of those victims is of paramount importance."

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