Seven Men Convicted in Rochdale Grooming Ring That Abused Girls as ‘Sex Slaves’

Seven men have been found guilty of sexually abusing two teenage girls in Rochdale over several years, in a harrowing case that sheds further light on the scale and brutality of organised grooming in northern England.

The verdicts followed a 72-day trial at Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester, where the jury considered evidence relating to 53 offences committed between 2001 and 2006. The abuse began when the girls were just 13 years old.

The court heard how the men groomed them, plied them with alcohol, drugs and cigarettes, and subjected them to repeated sexual violence in grim locations — including car parks, alleyways, and on filthy mattresses.

One of the victims, now in her 30s, told the court that when she first reported the abuse, she was dismissed and labelled a “prostitute” by Rochdale’s social services. Both girls were exploited over a number of years and were introduced to taxi drivers as part of the men’s network of sexual abuse.

Among those convicted was Mohammed Zahid, 64, of Station Road, Crumpsall, Manchester, who was found guilty of 20 offences, including rape and attempting to procure unlawful sex with a girl.

Kasir Bashir, 50, from Napier Street East, Oldham, was found guilty in absentia of four offences, including rape; he is currently wanted by police. Mushtaq Ahmed, 67, of Corona Avenue, Oldham, was convicted of nine offences including rape and indecency with a child. Roheez Khan, 39, of Athole Street, Rochdale, was found guilty of one count of rape.

Mohammed Shahzad, 44, of Beswicke Royds Street, Rochdale, was found guilty of six offences including rape and assault by penetration. Nisar Hussain, 41, of Newfield Close, Rochdale, was convicted of three counts, including rape. Naheem Akram, 48, of Manley Road, Rochdale, was found guilty of seven offences, including rape and assault by penetration.

All seven denied any wrongdoing during the trial. The jury returned unanimous guilty verdicts following three weeks of deliberations, concluding one of the most disturbing trials in recent years.

According to Greater Manchester Police, a total of 32 men have now been jailed for more than 300 years as part of two extensive investigations into child sexual exploitation in Rochdale over the last decade. Another 20 suspects are due to stand trial in September 2025.

Detective Chief Inspector Guy Laycock, who led the investigation, described the case as one of the most complex he had worked on, praising the victims for their courage in giving painful testimony. “They have been pivotal in bringing these abusers to long-awaited justice,” he said. “The men abused, degraded and discarded the victims when they were just children.

This horrific abuse knew no limits, and despite their denials, the jury has held them accountable.”

He added that the convicted men showed “a callous disregard for these women when they were girls” and have “continued to show no remorse for their unforgivable actions all these years later.”

This latest case adds to the growing number of convictions that have exposed systemic failures in protecting vulnerable children and sparked national debate over institutional accountability in the UK.

By F. Dayo Olusola | https://m10news.com |Category: UK News|13 June 2025

Published by M10News.com
Reporter: F. Dayo Olusola
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