ROCHDALE GROOMING GANG LIVE SENTENCING UPDATES
ROCHDALE MUSLIM GROOMING GANG LIVE SENTENCING UPDATES
A seven-man grooming gang, convicted of a chilling array of historical sexual offences against two teenage girls in Rochdale, faces a three-day sentencing hearing at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court, which began on Monday and continues today from 10am.
The defendants, found guilty after a five-month trial ending in June, subjected their victims, known as Girl A and Girl B, to years of grooming and abuse in the mid-2000s, exploiting them in squalid flats, on filthy mattresses, and in cars, car parks, alleyways, and abandoned warehouses.
The court heard the girls, then teenagers, were treated as “sex slaves,” expected to submit to sexual demands at the whim of their abusers, who were Pakistani-born taxi drivers or market stallholders. The victims, whose identities are protected, were passed around and discarded by the predators.
Mohammed Zahid, 64, the only defendant to abuse both girls, led the group, while Kasir Bashir, 50, absconded before the trial, with jurors instructed not to speculate on his absence.
The remaining defendants—Mushtaq Ahmed, 66; Roheez Khan, 39; Mohammed Shahzad, 43; Nisar Hussain, 43; and Naheem Akram, 48—all denied the charges.
Their convictions include:
- Zahid, of Station Road, Crumpsall, guilty of ten counts of rape, four counts of indecency with a child, five counts of procuring a girl for unlawful sexual intercourse, and one count of attempting to procure;
- Ahmed, of Corona Avenue, Oldham, guilty of four counts of rape, four counts of indecency, and one count of procuring;
- Ahmed, of Napier Street East, Oldham, guilty of two counts of rape and two of indecency;
- Khan, of Athole Street, Rochdale, guilty of one count of rape;
- Shahzad, of Beswicke Royds Street, Rochdale, guilty of five counts of rape and one of assault by penetration;
- Hussain, of Newfield Close, Rochdale, guilty of two counts of rape and one of assault by penetration; and
- Akram, of Manley Road, Rochdale, guilty of six counts of rape and one of assault by penetration.
The court now deliberates their sentences, marking a pivotal moment in this harrowing case.
30 SEPTEMBER - DAY 2
🔴 ‘SERIOUSLY LET DOWN’ BY SYSTEM
Judge Seely: Both girls were ‘seriously let down’ by those meant to protect them. Abused in flats, cars, alleys, they were ‘passed around for sex, abused, degraded, discarded’ ⬇️
🔴 GIRL B LABELLED AT AGE 10
Judge reveals Girl B was told, in ‘chillingly inappropriate language’, she ‘prostituted herself’ at 10 after reporting abuse. Authorities failed to act on her disclosures, court hears. ⬇️
🔴 JUDGE: ‘PARTICULARLY GRAVE CASE’
Judge Seely at Minshull St Crown Court: Girl A and B, highly vulnerable with troubled backgrounds, were known to authorities. Often missing from home, they were ‘highly susceptible’ to abuse ⬇️
🔴 JUDGE SEELY STARTS SENTENCING
Judge Jonathan Seely enters Court 4, kicking off the final sentencing hearing for the Rochdale grooming gang. Six defendants present; Bashir to be sentenced in absentia. Live updates as sentences are delivered! ⬇️
🔴 DEFENDANTS IN DOCK, BASHIR ABSENT
Six of seven convicted men in the dock at Minshull St Crown Court with three interpreters assisting. Kasir Bashir, 50, remains on the run after fleeing pre-trial. Sentencing for 2001-06 abuse case begins ⬇️
🔴 BARRISTERS ASSEMBLE FOR FINAL DAY
Prosecution and defence barristers file into Court 4 at Minshull St Crown Court as the sentencing hearing for the Rochdale grooming gang begins. Judge Seely to deliver decisions shortly. Stay tuned! ⬇️
🔴 GIRL B IN COURT FOR SENTENCING
Girl B is present at Minshull St Crown Court to witness the sentencing of seven men for 2001-06 abuse. Four jurors return to observe. Around a dozen reporters cover the high-profile case⬇️
🔴 ROCHDALE GROOMING GANG SENTENCING SET TO BEGIN
Good afternoon from Court 4 at Minshull St Crown Court. The court assembles for the final sentencing of seven men convicted in the 2001-06 teen abuse case. Stay tuned for live updates! ⬇️
🔴 ROCHDALE GROOMING GANG SENTENCING: BRIEF DELAY
Slight delay at Minshull St Crown Court for final day of sentencing seven men in teen abuse case. Stay tuned to @UKCourtsLive for live updates as Judge Seely’s decisions unfold. Full details soon! ⬇️
🔴 ROCHDALE GROOMING GANG SENTENCING - FINAL DAY
Live updates & Judges decision - from Minshull St Crown Court as 7 men face justice for abusing underage girls. Click our thumbnail for full coverage on our site! READ MORE HERE ⬇️
30 SEPTEMBER - DAY 2
🔴 JOIN US FOR LIVE SENTENCING TOMORROW
Don’t miss the final verdicts!
Follow @UKCourtsLive tomorrow for real-time updates as Judge Seely sentences the Rochdale Grooming Gang for their horrific crimes. Make sure to Subscribe & Click Notifications for updates as they happen ⬇️
🔴 SENTENCING SET FOR TOMORROW
Judge Seely to sentence Mohammed Zahid, Mushtaq Ahmed, Kasir Bashir, Roheez Khan, Mohammed Shahzad, Nisar Hussain, & Naheem Akram tomorrow for their roles in Rochdale grooming case. Court adjourns ⬇️
🔴 ROCHDALE GANG HEARING CONCLUDES FOR DAY
Day 2 at Minshull St Crown Court ends. Judge Seely confirms sentencing for all seven men convicted of 2001-06 teen abuse to be delivered tomorrow. Updates continue as case nears conclusion ⬇️
🔴 ZAHID’S SENTENCING DEBATE CONTINUES
Judge signals severe term for Zahid’s ‘persistent’ grooming crimes. Court weighs his denial & past convictions as sentencing looms for 2000s abuse. Updates ongoing from court. ⬇️
🔴 DEFENCE PLEADS FOR ‘HUMANE’ SENTENCE’
Wilding appeals for a ‘humane’ sentence, noting Zahid may ‘spend the rest of his life’ in prison. Requests a term offering ‘a glimmer of hope’ for eventual release. Judge to decide ⬇️
🔴 ZAHID’S FAMILY LIFE ‘BROKE DOWN’
Lisa Wilding KC, for Zahid, says his marriage & family life collapsed post-2016 conviction. Tells court it’s of ‘little surprise’ given his criminal history as a Pakistani Grooming Gang Ringleader ⬇️
🔴 ZAHID’S BACKGROUND IN COURT
Judge notes Zahid, 65, arrived in UK in 1978, married in 1981, has children. Convicted in 2016 for prior grooming case. Faces sentencing for abusing Girl A & B in 2001-06 Rochdale case ⬇️
🔴 JUDGE: ZAHID FACES ‘VERY LENGTHY’ SENTENCE
Judge Seely at Minshull St Crown Court warns Mohammed Zahid, 64, his prison term will be ‘very, very lengthy’. He also noted that he ‘continues to deny’ his 10 rape, 4 indecency, 5 procuring offences ⬇️
🔴 ZAHID SENTENCING DEBATE INTENSIFIES
Prosecution pushes Zahid’s market stall as key to his crimes, citing further complaints. Judge to consider evidence in sentencing for 2001-06 abuse. Updates continue from court ⬇️
🔴 DEFENCE CONCEDES PROSECUTION POINT
Lisa Wilding KC, for Zahid, 64, says she ‘can’t disagree’ in any way with prosecution’s ‘Persistent’ & ‘Deliberate’ descriptors for his grooming. Court weighs aggravating factors for sentencing ⬇️
🔴 PERSISTENT’ GROOMING A ‘WAY OF LIFE’
Mr Scamardella argues Zahid’s ‘Persistent’ &‘Deliberate’ grooming of victims became a way of life. Convicted of 10 rapes, 4 indecency counts, 5 procuring charges on both girls ⬇️
🔴 ZAHID’S ‘CREEPY’ MARKET BEHAVIOUR
Court hears two other girls reported Zahid’s inappropriate sexualised comments at his stall. One was asked for her phone number, another described him as ‘CREEPY’, prosecution says ⬇️
🔴 PROSECUTION: ZAHID’S ROLE ‘SIGNIFICANT
Prosecutor Mr Scamardella KC tells Minshull St Crown Court: Zahid’s ‘Boss Man’ market stall role is a major aggravating factor. Ample evidence shows deliberate grooming of both Girl A & B ⬇️
🔴 ZAHID’S MITIGATION CONCLUDES
Wilding’s plea for Zahid, 64, emphasises no deliberate setup via stall. Faces hefty sentence for abusing both Girl A & B ⬇️
🔴 MARKET STALL NOT AGGRAVATING FACTOR
Wilding argues Zahid’s market stall, where he met victims, wasn’t set up for abuse, rejecting it as an aggravating factor. Defence seeks to lessen severity of his role in grooming case ⬇️
🔴 ZAHID’S PRIOR CONVICTION ‘TWO DECADES OLD’
Wilding notes Zahid’s 2016 conviction for 2006 offence is now dated. As ringleader, he faces sentencing for 10 rapes, 4 indecency counts, 5 procuring charges on both girls ⬇️
🔴 ZAHID DEFENCE: LIMITED ALCOHOL ROLE
Lisa Wilding KC, for Mohammed Zahid, 64, tells Minshull St Crown Court: Evidence doesn’t show Zahid plied victims with alcohol like others. Concedes it may not affect sentencing ⬇️
🔴 HUSSAIN’S MITIGATION UNDERWAY
Maxwell’s plea for Hussain, 43, highlights no prior convictions, family status. Faces sentencing for Girl A offences ⬇️
🔴 HUSSAIN BACKED BY CHARACTER REFERENCES
Hussain, married father-of-two, supported by 9 ‘glowing’ character references, Maxwell tells court. Defence emphasizes his clean record in 2000s during Rochdale grooming case ⬇️
🔴 HUSSAIN ‘NO PHYSICAL PART’ IN ABUSE
Maxwell argues Hussain ‘played no physical part’ in Girl A’s sexual abuse. Convicted of 2 rapes, 1 assault by penetration. Defence disputes prosecution’s claim he filmed & shared video. ⬇️
🔴 HUSSAIN DEFENCE: ‘GOOD CHARACTER’ CLAIM
Gemma Maxwell, for Nisar Hussain, 43, tells Minshull St Crown Court: Hussain was of ‘good character’ at time of offences. Denies distributing assault video of Girl A, suggests Shahzad’s role ⬇️
🔴 AHMED FACES LONG SENTENCE
Parry-Jones admits Ahmed’s 4 rape, 4 indecency convictions warrant ‘very substantial’ term. Mitigation highlights prison hardships, family impact. ⬇️
🔴 JUDGE SLAMS AHMED’S EVIDENCE
Judge calls Ahmed’s trial testimony ‘wholly implausible, riddled with inconsistencies’. Defence notes his children lose private education due to funding. Court hears of his ‘no future’ post-sentence. ⬇️
🔴 AHMED’S DEFENCE CITES FAMILY, FEAR
Parry-Jones says Ahmed, married father-of-three, supports 18 in Pakistan; now cut off. In fear after prison assaults. Limited education, ‘unemployable’ post-release. Guilty of Girl B abuse. ⬇️
🔴 AHMED ASSAULTED TWICE IN PRISON
Trevor Parry-Jones for Mushtaq Ahmed, 66, tells Minshull St Crown Court: Ahmed, nearing later years, assaulted twice in custody, losing teeth. Faces tough sentence for 4 rapes, 4 indecency counts ⬇️
🔴 SENTENCING NEARS FOR FUGITIVE BASHIR
Bashir, 50, convicted of two counts of rape & two of indecency, faces sentencing in absentia. Khan’s plea cites family ties & clean record post-2006 ⬇️
🔴 JUDGE SIGNALS TOUGH STANCE ON BASHIR
Judge’s view: Bashir’s crimes, involving Girl B, go ‘well outside’ sentencing guidelines. Defence highlights no further offences since 2000s. Mitigation ongoing as court weighs absent defendant’s fate ⬇️
🔴 BASHIR’S MITIGATION CONTINUES
Khan tells court Bashir, who fled pre-trial, is a father & grandfather, described as ‘hard-working’. Judge hears he has not offended since 2006. Sentencing for his two rape & two indecency convictions to follow ⬇️
🔴 BASHIR’S DEFENCE PLEADS ‘HARD-WORKING’ FAMILY MAN
Day 2 at Minshull St Crown Court: Shahnawaz Khan, for absent Kasir Bashir, 50, admits offences hit ‘top end’ of guidelines. Judge: Case far exceeds them. No prior convictions noted ⬇️
🔴 DEFENCE SPEECHES BEGIN
Proceedings resume as barristers prepare to deliver mitigation on behalf of defendants including ringleader Mohammed Zahid. Victims' impact statements, like Girl A's "destroyed my life" account, set the tone yesterday. Sentences due Wednesday ⬇️
🔴 PAKISTANI GROOMING GANG SENTENCING: DAY 2
Good morning from Court 4 at Minshull Street Crown Court. The second day of the three-day hearing is underway, with seven convicted abusers facing justice for their mid-2000s teen exploitation crimes ⬇️
