Rochdale Grooming Gang Guilty of Historic Campaign of Rape and Abuse Against Teenage Girls

Rochdale – Seven men are facing justice after being convicted of a horrific and prolonged campaign of sexual abuse against two teenage girls in Rochdale during the mid-2000s.

A jury at Minshull Street Crown Court found the men guilty of dozens of serious sexual offences following a harrowing five-month trial. The court heard how the victims, identified only as 'Girl A' and 'Girl B', were groomed and treated as 'sex slaves' by the predators, who were mainly taxi drivers and market stall traders in the town.

For years, the girls were 'passed around' for sex and expected to comply 'whenever and wherever' their abusers demanded. The abuse took place in squalid and degrading locations, including filthy flats, on rancid mattresses, in cars, car parks, alleyways, and disused warehouses.

The two courageous women, who cannot be named for legal reasons, relived their trauma by giving evidence against the seven men, who had all denied the charges.

The convicted men are Mohammed Zahid, 64; Kasir Bashir, 50; Mushtaq Ahmed, 66; Roheez Khan, 39; Mohammed Shahzad, 43; Nisar Hussain, 43; and Naheem Akram, 48.

The court was told that Mohammed Zahid was the only offender to abuse both of the girls.

Another defendant, Kasir Bashir, was convicted in his absence. After the verdicts were delivered, it was revealed that he had absconded while on bail before the trial got under way and remains at large. The jury had been instructed not to speculate on the reason for his non-attendance.

A sentencing hearing began today at Minshull Street Crown Court and is expected to last three days.

The convictions are:

• Mohammed Zahid, 64, of Station Road, Crumpsall, Manchester, was found guilty of ten counts of rape, four counts of indecency with a child, five counts of procuring a girl to have unlawful sexual intercourse and one count of attempting to procure a girl to have unlawful sexual intercourse.
• Mushtaq Ahmed, 66, of Corona Avenue, Oldham, was found guilty of four counts of rape, four counts of indecency with a child and one count of procuring a girl to have unlawful sexual intercourse.
• Kasir Bashir, 50, of Napier Street East, Oldham, was found guilty of two counts of rape and two counts of indecency with a child.
• Roheez Khan, 39, of Athole Street, Rochdale, was found guilty of one count of rape.
• Mohammed Shahzad, 43, of Beswicke Royds Street, Rochdale, was found guilty of five counts of rape and one count of assault by penetration.
• Nisar Hussain, 43, of Newfield Close, Rochdale, was found guilty of two counts of rape and one count of assault by penetration.
• Naheem Akram, 48, of Manley Road, Rochdale, was found guilty of six counts of rape and one count of assault by penetration.