ANSAR QAYUM AND DEWSBURY MEN SENTENCED IN KIRKLEES SEXUAL ABUSE CASE

A significant crackdown on sexual abuse in North Kirklees has resulted in the imprisonment of dozens of men, with a combined total sentence of 346 years. This outcome follows a comprehensive police investigation into the non-recent sexual exploitation of young girls in the Kirklees area, specifically focusing on the towns of Dewsbury, Batley, Heckmondwike, and Wakefield.

On April 26, at Leeds Crown Court, the latest group of convicted offenders received their sentences. These men were part of Operation Tourway, a multi-year operation that uncovered a disturbing pattern of abuse spanning over a decade, from 1999 to 2012. The investigation revealed a disturbing network of individuals involved in the rape, sexual abuse, and trafficking of eight young girls in North Kirklees.

Among those sentenced was Ansar Qayum, a 47-year-old resident of Dewsbury. He was convicted of multiple serious offenses, including four counts of rape and one of attempted indecent assault. His sentence was set at 20 years in prison. The court also handed down lengthy sentences to other offenders from Dewsbury and surrounding areas, including Zafar Qayum, who received a 30-year term for six counts of rape, and Nasar Hussain, who was sentenced to 18 years for three rape offenses.

In total, 24 men have been held accountable so far, with their sentences reflecting the gravity of their crimes. The sentences ranged from as low as eight years to over 30 years for the most serious offenses. Notably, one individual received a sentence exceeding 30 years, although most of these sentences were initially protected by reporting restrictions to ensure fair trials. With restrictions now lifted, the identities and full details of these sentences are publicly available.

The list of convicted men includes Khurum Raziq from Heckmondwike, who was sentenced to 22 years after being found guilty of eight rape offenses, and Mohammed Saleem Nasir from Dewsbury, who received 19 years for three rape charges and aiding and abetting rape. Other notable sentences include Mohammed Tauseef Hanif from Dewsbury, sentenced to nine and a half years, and Ali Shah from Dewsbury, who received a decade for a single rape offense.

The investigation into these crimes began in 2015 when safeguarding detectives started examining reports of abuse involving some of the suspects. The police conducted arrests across West Yorkshire starting in November 2018, and by December 2020, all suspects had been charged. Court proceedings commenced on December 11, 2020, and the cases have been heard over several trials at Leeds Crown Court between 2022 and 2024.

These convictions mark a significant step in addressing historic sexual abuse in the Kirklees area, bringing justice to the victims and sending a clear message about the seriousness with which such crimes are treated. The police and judicial authorities continue to emphasize their commitment to safeguarding vulnerable individuals and ensuring that offenders are held accountable for their actions.