Sentences Handed Down to Grooming Gang in West Yorkshire

West Yorkshire Police disclosed that 20 individuals associated with a grooming gang have been sentenced to a total of 277 years in prison. This follows their involvement in the sexual exploitation of young girls during the 1990s and early 2000s.

The courts have lifted reporting restrictions regarding the proceedings against those implicated in the exploitation of girls in Kirklees after a series of six trials concluded at Leeds Crown Court in July 2023.

According to police, the grooming activities predominantly targeted three girls in the Batley and Dewsbury areas, one of whom was just 12 years old at the time of her initial abuse. These offenses are said to have taken place between 1995 and 2003.

DCI Rob Stevens from Kirklees District Police stated that this case emerged from an extensive investigation into the shocking sexual abuse of vulnerable girls by multiple offenders in the region.

He emphasized that the victims had faced repeated assaults and, in certain instances, were given Class A drugs by their abusers. The information revealed during the trials painted a disturbing picture of the suffering inflicted on the victims.

“They were treated as objects for the pleasure of ruthless predators,” he remarked.

Here are some of those who were convicted:

• Ansar Mahmoud Qayyum, 49, from Dewsbury, received a sentence of 10 years for three counts of rape and two counts of indecent assault, adding to a previous 20-year term from a different trial, totaling 30 years.
• Sajid Majid, 53, from Mirfield, was sentenced to 28 years for five counts of rape and three counts of indecent assault.
• Manaf Hussain, 51, from Heckmondwike, received a 25-year sentence for six counts of rape and one count of supplying Class A drugs.
• Tariq Azam, 57, from Dewsbury, was sentenced to 24 years for five counts of rape and four counts of indecent assault.
• Zulfikar Ali, 47, from Dewsbury, received 22 years and six months for four counts of rape.
• Aurangzeb Azam, 56, from Dewsbury, was given a 20-year prison term for 10 counts of rape and indecent assault.
• Shakir Haq, 58, from Birmingham, was sentenced to 19 years for three counts of rape and false imprisonment.
• Rafiq Patel, 73, from Batley, received 18 years for two counts of rape.
• Zahid Ali Novsarka, 58, from Batley, was also sentenced to 18 years for two counts of rape.
• Mohammed Sheikh, 53, from Batley, received 14 years for two counts of rape and two counts of indecent assault.
• Mohammed Yassin, 52, from Batley, was sentenced to 14 years for rape and second-degree indecent assault.
• Liaquat Hussein Hanif, 49, from Batley, received 12 years and six months for two counts of rape and one count of supplying Class A drugs.
• Ebrahim Maniat, 56, from Batley, was sentenced to 12 years for two counts of rape.
• Ibrahim Khalifa, 87, from Bradford, received 11 years for two counts of rape.
• Shafiq Siddique, 56, from Dewsbury, was sentenced to 11 years for rape.
• Mohamed Munir Shafi, 48, from Dewsbury, received nine years for two counts of rape.
• Mohammed Ishtiaq Hussain, 51, from Dewsbury, was sentenced to eight years for rape.
• Abbas Kazi, 57, from Batley, received seven years for rape.
• Donna Lynn, 45, from Cleckheaton, was given a three-year sentence for managing prostitution.
• Tasawar Hussain, 46, from Dewsbury, received three years for rape.

DCI Stevens commented that the lengthy prison sentences, particularly for individuals like Sajid Majid and Aurangzeb Azam, reflect the grave nature of their crimes and the damage done to the victims.

He added, “The horrific nature of this crime came to light largely due to the bravery of the victims who came forward. Our team is dedicated to helping those affected by sexual abuse, albeit we understand the challenges they face in reporting and aiding prosecutions.”

Stevens expressed hope that the victims could take pride in their courage and the justice achieved, while acknowledging the ongoing national scrutiny surrounding the grooming gang scandal. Notably, Prime Minister Starmer initially resisted calls for an inquiry, but an independent report confirmed that these crimes were predominantly committed by a specific demographic against young working-class girls, and this has led to increased pressure for accountability and oversight.