A mastermind behind a grooming gang, along with six accomplices, received prison sentences after social care systems failed to protect a 10-year-old girl, labeling her a prostitute instead.
Seven men, all associated with Rochdale’s markets or taxi services, were convicted of grooming young girls and exploiting them as “sexual slaves” between 2001 and 2006. The court reported that these girls were shuffled between men, enduring “almost constant sexual abuse” throughout those years.
Mohammed “Bossman” Zahid, 64, who operated a lingerie stall at Rochdale Town Market, was identified as the group’s ringleader.
Zahid, a Pakistani immigrant, had previously been jailed for five years in 2016 for another grooming case involving a child he met at his stall. That girl would visit food stalls, seeking tights for her school uniform.
In a recent court hearing, it was revealed that Zahid would nonchalantly call the social service home where one of his victims lived, picking her up for abuse before returning her, apparently unbothered by the potential questions afterward. He and his associates took the girl to various locations in Rochdale, stating that “Girl A” had been exploited by “hundreds of men.”
The court proceedings highlighted not only the tragic experiences of the victims but also the disgraceful failures of the care system. One now-adult victim, known as “Girl B,” shared how, at just 10, she was classified as a prostitute by the care system, with no real effort made to ensure her safety. She remarked, “No one seemed to care enough to intervene… they were supposed to protect me, and instead, a lot of terrible things happened.”
Sentencing took place at Manchester Crown Court on Wednesday.
Mohammed “Bossman” Zahid received a substantial sentence of 35 years for his role in procuring a girl for illicit sex. He was found guilty on multiple counts, including ten counts of rape and several counts of indecency with a child.
Kasir Bashir, a 50-year-old market trader, was sentenced in absentia as he had evaded pre-trial custody, despite being under bail conditions that included confiscation of his British passport. Authorities believe he has left the country. He was sentenced to 29 years after being found guilty of two counts of rape and two counts of indecency with a child.
Mushtaq Ahmed, 67, also received 27 years for multiple counts of rape and child exploitation.
Roheez Khan, aged 39, was handed a 12-year sentence for one count of rape.
Mohamed Shazad, 44, a taxi driver, received a 26-year sentence, convicted of five counts of rape and one break-in assault.
Nissar Hussein, 41, also a taxi driver, was given a 19-year sentence after being found guilty of two counts of rape and one assault.
Naheem Akram, a 49-year-old taxi driver, got a 26-year sentence for one count of rape and six counts of break-in assaults.
All defendants denied the allegations and were reported to be unrepentant.
Greater Manchester Police expressed their satisfaction with the outcome while noting that 32 additional offenders are scheduled to face trial in the near future, with 20 more men now being investigated.
Detective Chief Inspector Guy Laycock commented on the situation, saying, “These seven men took advantage of vulnerable individuals for their own sexual gratification. The abuse they inflicted was horrific, yet they denied responsibility throughout the lengthy investigation and court process.”
Rochdale Borough Council, which oversees the relevant social services, acknowledged past issues while asserting improvements have been made. A representative stated, “The council is quite different now than it was over a decade ago, and our efforts to enhance protective measures and responses to child sexual exploitation have been recognized in various inspections since 2014.”
“However, we are not complacent. We remain dedicated to doing everything possible, in collaboration with our partners, to support and protect victims and survivors.”
