UK Grooming Gang Member Jailed as Authorities Hunt Two Fugitives

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In a landmark case that echoes the urgency of protecting society's most vulnerable, three men have been sentenced to prison for their roles in a grooming gang that preyed upon young girls in Keighley, West Yorkshire, during the 1990s. The sentencing has shed light on systemic failures in responding to the victims' pleas for help, as the justice system seeks to offer some solace to those who suffered. Ibrar Hussain, 47, Imtiaz Ahmed, 62, and Fayaz Ahmed, 45, received prison terms of six-and-a-half years, nine years, and seven-and-a-half years respectively.

 

Their sentences were handed down at Bradford Crown Court, where the judge emphasized the criminal justice system's duty to protect the community's young and vulnerable members. Notably, only Hussain was present in court to begin his sentence, as both Ahmed brothers absconded during the trial and are now believed to have fled abroad.

 

The trio's conviction is part of a broader investigation into the abuse suffered by two girls, with eight defendants in total now jailed in relation to these horrific crimes. One of the victims, now in her 40s, expressed the profound impact of the abuse in a statement read to the court: "I feel that if I had been listened to sooner, rather than later, my life could have been different. I became an object – used and abused from the age of 13."

 

She recounted the enduring trauma, including flashbacks and nightmares, and a pervasive sense of shame. "Nothing in the world can ever fix the damage they caused me. Because of them I have lost my identity," she said, highlighting her struggle to trust people, including the services that failed to protect her. Judge Ahmed Nadim detailed the victims' distressing experiences, describing how they were plied with drugs and alcohol before being exploited by numerous men, predominantly of Asian heritage. He criticized the initial response from social services and police, who perceived the girls as "authoresses of their own misfortune."

 

The judge lamented the failures of the authorities, noting how one girl's mother repeatedly reported her missing to Keighley police, only to be met with inaction. The abuse's context was grim: both girls had troubled home lives and were vulnerable to the predatory advances of older men who feigned care and attention. This exploitation led to repeated instances of rape, with Hussain attacking one of the girls after giving her heroin, and Fayaz Ahmed assaulting her in a school field.

 

Judge Nadim's sentencing underscored a strong message: the criminal justice system is committed to shielding the young and vulnerable from such heinous crimes. He expressed hope that the victims might find some comfort in knowing their voices were finally acknowledged. Detective Chief Inspector Vicky Greenbank of Bradford District Police commended the bravery of the victims, who came forward in 2016 to report the abuse.

 

She remarked, "I hope this sends a clear message that, regardless of how long ago these offences may have happened, we will pursue every avenue to get justice." Meanwhile, the search continues for the Ahmed brothers, with West Yorkshire Police issuing arrest warrants and ongoing inquiries to locate them. The convictions and ongoing efforts to bring all perpetrators to justice highlight a relentless commitment to accountability, no matter how many years have passed since the crimes were committed.

 

The convictions culminate a harrowing chapter that began with five other men sentenced following a trial in October 2023. Among them, Mohammed Din, 47, of Keighley, received the longest sentence of 14 years for 11 counts of rape. Din was the only defendant found guilty of raping both victims, symbolizing the extensive scale of the abuse endured by the girls. As the justice system continues to pursue those who inflicted such profound harm, the case stands as a somber reminder of the critical need for vigilance and support for vulnerable individuals in society.

 

Based on a report by Sky News 2025-01-20

 

 

[Dionigi]

not long enough

[roo860]

14 minutes ago, Dionigi said:

not long enough

Capital punishment 

[Watawattana]

These are ridiculously short sentences that don't reflect the ongoing risk to girls when they get out (noting that 2 are on the run).  Surely they also need to get deported, along with their extended families so that their right to family life is maintained?

[Smokey and the Bandit]

1 hour ago, roo860 said:

Capital punishment 

Well at least castration!

[Watawattana]

2 minutes ago, Smokey and the Bandit said:

Well at least castration!

Someone talking male dangly bits again? 🔮🔮😇