FURY OVER FREED TV DRAMA GANG
EXCLUSIVE: Showdown as victim comes face-to-face with abuser
HORRIFIED parents called police when they found the paedophile gang exposed by the Three Girls TV drama were out of jail – and back on the streets where they had preyed on young victims.
Some locals even confronted one of them hours after an episode on BBC1 detailed how the gang targeted and raped teenagers in Rochdale.
And police had to visit the man’s family home on Friday as feelings ran high during the drama’s three- night run. Worried locals were even going online to report his movements.
All but two of the nine-strong Asian gang jailed in 2012 were freed early and have returned to the town, it has now emerged.
Many of their young victims still live there. One has told how she came face to face with her tormentor. A worried resident said: “A lot of girls they abused will still be living here. People need to know they are back.”
Another added: “I didn’t realise they were out. I’m disgusted we weren’t informed so we could warn our children.”
SPOTTED
Furious neighbours first called police before the drama was aired after freed offender Abdul Rauf was spotted in their street visiting the home of his wife and children.
On Wednesday Rauf, 48, was again seen in the quiet cul-desac as children played nearby. He drove off after residents rounded on him.
Only two of the gang are now behind bars. Ringleader Shabir Ahmed, 64, who urged his victims to call him ‘Daddy’, is doing 22 years, while Mohammed Sajid, 40, is seeing out a 12-year sentence.
Mohammed Amin, 50, Abdul Qayyum, 49, and Hamid Safi, 27, all got five years or less and are understood to be free.
Rauf, Adil Khan, 47, Abdul Aziz, 46; and Kabeer Hassan, 30, are all believed to have been released on licence after serving half their sentences.
Locals revealed on social media how Rauf – said to have lost a lot of weight – was visiting his family.
One wrote: “One of them lives in my street with his wife and children. He’s allowed to stay there even though our street is full of kids playing out.”
Another posted: “Everyone has complained, called the police.” Officers visited the street on Friday and assured neighbours Rauf was allowed occasional visits
to his family but was not allowed to stay there. A police spokesman said: “Anyone who has served time is subject to license. All we can do is monitor conditions.” A neigh- bour said: “Everyone needs to know he is on our doorstep. Children need more education about older men flattering them and giving them things.”
Three Girls received critical acclaim highlighting the story. It showed how the paedophiles, who operated out of taxis and a takeaway, lured children with booze and cigarettes before abusing them. Rochdale Crisis Intervention Team worker Sara Rowbotham – played by Maxine Peake – fought to bring the gang to justice after the youngsters were let down by police and child protection agencies.
One girl told how she bumped into an abuser in the town. She said: “I just froze. It was like there’s nothing I can do. I’ve brought it to court, and now he’s out.”
The girl, targeted while in foster care, told how the men won her trust by buying her cigarettes and alcohol.
Four of the gang, including ringleader Ahmed, are fighting deportation to Pakistan.
More than 22,000 people have signed a petition calling for Sara Rowbotham to get official recognition for exposing the scandal in the face of police and social services’ indifference.