Post by Handyman on Jun 6, 2024 12:42:49 GMT
Seven men were convicted yesterday for a string of child sexual offences against the girls in the early 2000s, with the jury hearing how one was locked inside an abuser's home and only escaped after climbing out of a window.
The gang picked up their victims from their children's homes before subjecting them to horrific abuse described as 'some of the most serious' yet seen by officers investigating the wider Rotherham grooming scandal.
In one particularly harrowing case, one of the girls was taken to a hotel where she was raped by two men. On another occasion the same girl was locked inside one of her abuser's homes and raped at least twice before managing to flee.
The gang were finally brought to justice by Operation Stovewood - a huge investigation into child sexual exploitation in Rotherham between 1997 and 2013 led by the National Crime Agency, known as 'Britain's FBI'.
Mohammed Amar, 42, was found guilty of two counts of indecently assaulting an 11-year-old girl
Yasser Ajaibe, 39, was found guilty of indecently assaulting an 11-year-old girl
Mohammed Amar (left) and Yasser Ajaibe (right) were both found guilty of indecently assaulting a 11-year-old girl
The victims, who were aged between 11 and 16 at the time of the offences and were both in care, were groomed and often plied with alcohol or cannabis before being raped or assaulted.
The court heard how the attacks took place at locations around Rotherham, including in a park and a car parked next to a supermarket.
Following a nine week trial at Sheffield Crown Court, seven men were found guilty of a series of offences yesterday.
All seven were remanded in custody until sentencing, which is due to take place on 12 and 13 September 2024.
An eighth man was cleared of rape.
Operation Stovewood remains the single largest investigation of its kind in the UK, with more than 1,150 potential victims identified.
The guilty verdicts mean that 33 people have now been convicted of offences.
Mohammed Amar, 42, of Rotherham, was found guilty of two counts of indecently assaulting an 11-year-old girl.
Yasser Ajaibe, 39, was found guilty of indecently assaulting an 11-year-old girl.
Mohammed Zameer Sadiq, 49, was found guilty of rape and sexual intercourse with a girl under 13 years old.
Abid Saddiq, 43, formerly of Rotherham, was found guilty of three counts of rape, including one of a girl under 13, and indecently assaulting a 12-year-old girl
Mohammed Siyab, 44, was found guilty of two counts of rape, sexual intercourse with a girl under 13 years and trafficking within the UK for sexual exploitation.
Abid Saddiq, 43, who previously lived in Rotherham, was found guilty of three counts of rape, including one of a girl under 13, and indecently assaulting a 12-year-old girl.
Half of Rotherham sex gang core members are already back on the streets despite being involved in the abuse and trafficking of up to 1,400 girls
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Tahir Yasin, 38, of Sheffield, was found guilty of eight counts of rape.
Ramin Bari, 37, also from Sheffield, was found guilty of four counts of rape.
NCA Senior Investigating Officer Stuart Cobb said: 'The evidence we heard from these victims was some of the most harrowing we have come across, and the offences involved some of the most serious yet investigated by officers working on Operation Stovewood.
'I pay tribute to the bravery of these two victims in coming forward and telling their stories. It was key to getting these convictions and I hope they feel that justice has finally been done.
'What happened to them was appalling. Their attackers were cruel, manipulative men, who thought it was fine to take advantage of vulnerable young girls and dehumanise their victims in the worst possible ways.
'We are determined to do all we can to support and seek justice for victims like them, and track down the perpetrators of abuse, no matter the passage of time.'
Ramin Bari, 37, of Sheffield, was found guilty of four counts of rape
The men will be sentenced on September 12 and 13 at the same court.
Zoe Becker, Legal Manager for the CPS, said: 'These seven men knew that these young girls could be exploited – they targeted the victims and, using drugs and alcohol, groomed them for sex.
'These defendants waged a campaign of violence against the two girls, who had to endure some of the most traumatic abuse on multiple occasions.
'We are grateful to the victims who came forward and gave evidence about the horrific abuse they suffered. This has been a complex and long investigation, and it is because of their fortitude that we have been able to bring these offenders to justice.
'This is the largest case prosecuted under Operation Stovewood this year. I hope this conviction sends a clear message that the CPS, working alongside law enforcement, will relentlessly pursue justice and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, whenever that abuse took place.
'I encourage any victims of child sexual abuse and sexual violence to report the crimes committed against them. It is never too late to seek justice - you are not alone and there is help available.'
