‘Grooming gang’ charged with multiple counts of child abuse

THIRTY men and one woman have been charged with a string of child sexual exploitation offences against girls as young as 12, as part of what is believed to be Britain’s largest sex abuse ring.

The suspects, who are mainly from the Huddersfield area, are facing charges relating to offences committed over seven years, between 2005 and 2012.

The charges include rape, sexual assault and trafficking, and were allegedly committed against five women who were aged between 12 and 18 at the time.

One defendant, 31-year-old Mohammed Sajjad, has been charged with four counts of rape of a female aged 13-15, rape of a girl under 13, and facilitating the commission of a child sex offence. Another, Manzoor Akhtar, aged 29, from Huddersfield, has been charged with trafficking and three counts of rape of a female aged 13-15. Mohammed Waqas Anwar, also 29 and from Huddersfield, has been charged with five counts of rape of a female aged 13-15. The one woman charged, Fehreen Rafiq, 38, faces two counts of facilitating the commission of a child sex offence – a crime which, if found guilty, could result in 14 years in prison. Twelve defendants, who cannot be named for legal reasons, have also been charged with numerous offences in connection with the same investigation.

Barry Sheerman, the Labour MP for Huddersfield, said he first looked into allegations of child sexual exploitation in 2009, and raised a Westminster Hall debate. There have been many cases of this across Britain for a very long time and previously there hasn’t been enough of a joined-up approach by police,” he said. “I am confident now that police take these cases very seriously and that justice is done.”

The MP, who has represented Huddersfield since 1979, added: “The victims have to have our full support to remake their lives. The restorative element of justice is so important. I am concerned about the complete package of support offered to victims. I hope there is a discussion about whether we are doing enough.”

Fay Maxted, chief executive of The Survivors Trust, said: “I would encourage anyone who has been affected by sexual violence to seek help and support.”

All 31 defendants will appear at Kirklees Magistrates Court on September 5 and 6.