A courtroom in Manchester has sentenced Mohammed Zahid, 65, to 35 years in prison after being convicted as the ringleader of a grooming gang that exploited two teenage girls.

 

The seven men involved were found guilty of a total of 50 offences spanning rape, indecency with a child, and procuring a child for sex. 

 

The abuse began when both victims were just 13 years old, continuing from 2001 into the mid-2000s. Zahid, nicknamed “Boss Man,” used enticements—money, alcohol, cigarettes, free lingerie from his stall—to gain control over the girls. In return, he demanded regular sexual access for himself and his associates. 

 

 

 

 

The other six men—some taxi drivers and locals from Rochdale and Oldham—received sentences ranging from 12 to 29 years. Key perpetrators include Kasir Bashir (29 years), Mushtaq Ahmed (27 years), Mohammed Shahzad (26 years), and Naheem Akram (26 years). 

 

The girls, identified only in court as Girl A and Girl B, testified to the devastating and long-lasting impact. One said her life had been “destroyed” by the abuse; the other urged survivors to come forward even decades later. 

 

Judge Jonathan Seely condemned the “incessant abuse” and highlighted systemic failings by social services, law enforcement, and local authorities. Rochdale Council and Greater Manchester Police have formally apologised. 

 

The case is part of Operation Lytton, an ongoing investigation into historical child sexual exploitation in Rochdale, which has already charged 37 individuals with more trials pending. 

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

1. Major sentences handed down — Zahid imprisoned 35 years; six others get 12–29 years.

 

 

2. Exploitation from early age — abuse dated from when victims were 13, sustained over years.

 

 

3. Systemic failures exposed — child protection agencies and police apologised for neglect.

 

 

Adapted From:

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/oct/01/rochdale-manchester-grooming-girls-sex-slaves-court

 

 

Well done the Judge in this case.......👍

Took way too long