HASSAN BASHARAT AND FOUR OTHERS SENTENCED IN KEIGHLEY FOR VICTIM'S ABUSE

Four men, including Hassan Basharat, were sentenced to prison for their roles in subjecting a highly vulnerable teenage girl from Keighley, West Yorkshire, to a severe campaign of sexual assault. The offenders, over the course of 2009 and 2010, manipulated and repeatedly abused the girl by supplying her with drugs and alcohol, prosecutors revealed. Her ordeal resulted in long-lasting psychological trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A fifth individual involved was convicted of three rapes and awaits sentencing.

Prosecutor Katherine Robinson told Bradford Crown Court that the victim, aged 20 at the time she spoke to police, was clearly vulnerable and had alcohol issues when targeted by the group. A victim statement read in court described her as feeling "unable to look after myself due to my mental health" following the abuse.

Judge Andrew Hatton, who delivered the sentence, remarked, "The gross abuse she suffered at your hands is a significant factor in her current mental health."

Detective Chief Inspector Alan Weekes from West Yorkshire Police commented, "The victim was robbed of her childhood. I hope that the imprisonment of these men for their horrendous offences will allow her to begin to move forward."

Ed Hulbert of the Crown Prosecution Service stated that the men had "cynically manipulated and ruthlessly exploited a young and vulnerable girl."

The court sentenced Omar Safdar, 30, who was of no fixed address, to 12 years after being convicted of three counts of rape. Imran Sabir, 42, from Spencer Street, Keighley, also received a 12-year sentence for two counts of rape. Hassan Basharat, 32, from Highfield Road, Keighley, was jailed for 12 years after being convicted of three counts of rape, plus an additional 16 months for two counts of dangerous driving. Barber Hussain, 36, of Thorn Lane, Bradford, received a 13-year sentence after being convicted of seven counts of rape. Amjad Hussain, also convicted of three rapes, will be sentenced at a later date. All five men were found guilty following a trial in October.