GOING NOWHERE
Operation Shelter rapist’s sentence appeal bid fails
SICK Operation Shelter rapist Jahanger Zaman’s bid to get out of jail early is over.
The predator was locked up for 29 years after being found guilty of exploiting some of Newcastle’s most vulnerable girls for sex, along with fellow members of the vile grooming gang that shamed Tyneside.
However, The Chronicle revealed earlier this year that he was planning to argue that the sentence was too long.
Zaman requested leave to appeal.
But London’s Court of Appeal has confirmed that the bid did not get past the first stage, as he has been told he does not have grounds to appeal the jail term.
And the dad-of-three has dropped his challenge.
Zaman, was arrested after Northumbria Police launched an investigation into the sexual exploitation of troubled young women and girls in Newcastle’s West End. Codenamed Operation Shelter, the probe formed part of the force’s Operation Sanctuary.
Taxi driver Zaman, of Hadrian Road, in Fenham, Newcastle, was later charged with rape, conspiracy to incite prostitution and supplying drugs, along with separate offences of conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine.
The 45-year-old was convicted following trials at Newcastle Crown Court, jailed for 29 years and ordered to sign on the sex offenders’ register for life. In sentencing him, Judge Penny Moreland said: “I have no doubt you have already caused incalculable serious harm to the victims of your offending.” A further 17 people were also jailed for their roles in the Shelter grooming network. The court heard how the victims were lured to house parties known as “sessions” at flats in the West End. There, they were plied with drink and drugs and used for sex. The judge was told that Zaman gave girls the class B drug “MCat” and demanded sex acts in return for more of the addictive substance. After he was sent to jail, Northumbria Police’s Det Supt Steve Barron, who led the investigation, told The Chronicle of his relief that Zaman had been handed such a long sentence. He said: “We are talking hundreds of years’ worth of jail sentences for Shelter and Sanctuary in the wider sense – it is very hard to imagine that hasn’t had a deterrent effect.
“I’m so happy that these guys are getting long sentences.
“When I was told that Zaman got 29 years I stopped and took a breath. They are the types of sentences you would hope for so I can’t say how happy I am.”
However, Zaman’s daughter told The Chronicle of her devastation and said that the predatory rapist depicted in court was nothing like the dad she had grown up with.
The 25-year-old said: “My dad has always been there for us. No one expected this.
“Our lives will never be the same again.”
I have no doubt you have already caused incalculable serious harm to the victims of your offending Judge Penny Moreland