Twenty individuals have been collectively sentenced to 277 years in prison as part of one of West Yorkshire Police's largest child sexual abuse investigations. The case involved the grooming and rape of three vulnerable girls in Kirklees between 1995 and 2003.
Details of the Abuse
The abuse primarily occurred in Dewsbury and Batley, where the victims—one as young as 12 when the offending began—were repeatedly sexually assaulted by multiple men over several years. The court proceedings at Leeds Crown Court stretched across six separate trials between 2023 and 2024, with the final sentencing completed in 2025. Reporting restrictions had previously prevented publication of the case details.
Sentences Handed Down
Sajid Majid, 53, from Mirfield, received the longest sentence of 28 years for five counts of rape and three counts of indecent assault. Manaf Hussain, 51, from Heckmondwike, was jailed for 25 years for six rape offences. Tariq Azam, 57, from Dewsbury, was sentenced to 24 years for five rapes and four indecent assaults. Aurrangzeb Azam, 56, also from Dewsbury, received a 20-year sentence for ten counts of rape and one count of indecent assault.
Others sentenced include Shakeel Haq, 58, from Birmingham, who was jailed for 19 years for rape and false imprisonment, and Rafiq Patel, 73, from Batley, who was handed 18 years for two rape offences. Additionally, Donna Lynn, 45, from Cleckheaton, received three years for controlling prostitution. Ansar Mahmood Qayum, 49, from Dewsbury, was jailed for 10 years for rape and indecent assault, added to an earlier 20-year term, totaling 30 years.
Police Statement
Detective Chief Inspector Rob Stevens of Kirklees District Police described the investigation as exposing “truly appalling sexual abuse” carried out by “a large number of sexual predators.” He stated, “Over an almost two-year period, juries have heard shocking revelations about the dreadful way victims were abused. They were repeatedly sexually assaulted, in some cases given Class A drugs, and very much treated as commodities for the gratification of heartless predators.” Stevens added that the lengthy jail terms reflected the “depravity” of the offenders and praised the victims for their courage in enduring lengthy trials and giving evidence.
Two additional men were found by the court to have committed sexual offences but were ruled unfit to enter pleas.
