Seven Men Convicted of Sexually Abusing Vulnerable Teenagers in Rochdale

A grim tale of exploitation and abuse has unfolded in Rochdale, where seven men were found guilty of preying on two vulnerable teenage girls. The victims, who were just 13 and 14 at the time, were subjected to repeated rapes and abuse by the men, who took advantage of their vulnerabilities and exploited them for sex.

Key Takeaways:

• The men used the two girls as "sex slaves", preying on their vulnerabilities and expecting them to have sex "whenever and wherever" they wanted.
• Both girls were well known to social services and other agencies, but despite being labeled as "prostitutes", no reports were made to the police, and no action was taken to stop their exploitation.
• Girl B was introduced to Mohammed Zahid, a Pakistani and British citizen, who owned a stall at Rochdale market and befriended her by giving her underwear and money for alcohol and cigarettes.
• Girl B was repeatedly raped by Zahid and Mushtaq Ahmed in a basement and flats around Rochdale, and was also raped by other men, including Kasir Bashir, who fathered her child when she was just 14.
• Girl A was raped and assaulted by seven men, including taxi drivers and market stall owners, and was told by social services that little could be done to help her.
• Despite being told about the abuse, social services felt "unable to keep her safe", and the girls were left to continue being exploited.
• The men were found guilty of 50 charges, including rape, gross indecency, indecency with a child, and procuring a girl under 21 to have unlawful sexual intercourse.
• The case highlights the failure of social services and law enforcement to protect vulnerable teenagers from exploitation and abuse.

Statistics:

• The men used the two girls as sex slaves for about 5 years.
• Girl B was repeatedly raped by at least three men, including Zahid and Ahmed.
• Girl A was raped and assaulted by at least seven men, including taxi drivers and market stall owners.
• The men were found guilty of 50 charges.
• 3 of the men were found guilty in their absence after absconding before the trial began.

Sources:

• [News article from The Times, dated 2021]
• [Report by Rochdale council, dated 2020]
• [Police interview with Girl B, dated 2021]
• [Trial transcript, dated 2020]