Twenty individuals have been collectively sentenced to 277 years in prison following one of West Yorkshire Police's largest child sexual abuse investigations. The case involved the systematic grooming and rape of three vulnerable girls in Kirklees between 1995 and 2003.
Details of the Abuse
The abuse primarily took place 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 perpetrators exploited the girls' vulnerabilities, treating them as commodities for their own gratification.
Legal Proceedings
Proceedings at Leeds Crown Court spanned six separate trials between 2023 and 2024, with the final sentencing completed in 2025. Reporting restrictions had previously prevented publication of the case details until now.
Key Sentences
- 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, from Dewsbury, received a 20-year sentence after being convicted of ten counts of rape and one count of indecent assault.
- Shakeel Haq, 58, from Birmingham, was jailed for 19 years for rape and false imprisonment.
- Rafiq Patel, 73, from Batley, was handed 18 years for two rape offences.
- Donna Lynn, 45, from Cleckheaton, received three years in prison 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 Reaction
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.” He 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.
Additional Offenders
Police noted that two additional men were found by the court to have committed sexual offences but were ruled unfit to enter pleas. The investigation underscores the commitment of West Yorkshire Police to pursuing justice in cases of historical child sexual abuse.
