ILYAS TALLAT ASHAR TRAFFICKED AND ABUSED DEAF GIRL IN ECCLES, SALFORD

In a harrowing case that has shocked the community of Eccles in Salford, 84-year-old Ilyas Tallat Ashar has been sentenced to 13 years in prison after being found guilty of multiple heinous crimes involving a deaf and mute girl he trafficked from Pakistan. The victim, now in her twenties, endured a prolonged period of unimaginable abuse, including being forced to sleep in a damp, cold cellar for nearly thirteen years, starting from the age of 10.

Details of the case reveal that Ashar, along with his wife Tallat, aged 68, subjected the girl to a life of domestic slavery and sexual exploitation. The girl was kept at their residence in Eccles, where she was made to sleep in a sparse, cold, and damp cellar that served as her prison. She was deprived of contact with the outside world and was subjected to physical abuse, including beatings and slaps, as part of her brutal treatment. The victim was also compelled to work tirelessly for Ashar and his family, performing domestic chores and other menial tasks under duress.

The shocking revelations emerged during a trial at Manchester Crown Court, where the jury heard that the girl, who is profoundly deaf and unable to speak, was initially discovered in 2009 after trading standards officials visited the Ashar household to investigate allegations of illegal activities. It was only after she was taught sign language that her ordeal was fully uncovered. The authorities learned that she had been trafficked into the UK at the age of 10, with her age falsely listed as 20 on her passport, raising questions about immigration procedures at Heathrow Airport.

Further investigations revealed that Ashar exploited the girl not only sexually but also financially. His wife, Tallat Ashar, was implicated in benefit fraud, having used the girl’s details to claim over £30,000 in benefits and to set up multiple bank accounts in her name. The couple’s daughter, Faaiza Ashar, aged 46, was also convicted of benefit fraud charges. The court heard that the girl was used to satisfy Ashar’s sexual desires, and her vulnerability was exploited to facilitate the couple’s fraudulent activities.

During the sentencing, Judge Peter Lakin condemned the Ashar family’s conduct, stating, “You Ilyas Ashar and you Tallat Ashar did not treat this girl as a human being. To you, she was merely an object to be used, abused, and cast aside at will. Throughout these proceedings, none of you have shown any remorse. You are deeply unpleasant, highly manipulative, and dishonest people.”

Two female jurors were visibly emotional as the verdicts were delivered, highlighting the profound impact of the case. The judge also announced that he would be excusing the jurors from further jury service for the next decade due to the traumatic nature of the evidence presented.

Salford’s Chief Superintendent Mary Doyle described the case as “dreadful,” emphasizing the exploitation of the girl’s disability and her subsequent treatment as domestic labor. She praised the victim’s resilience, noting that she has emerged as a confident and determined young woman despite her traumatic past. Doyle highlighted the importance of training law enforcement, border officials, teachers, and legal professionals to better recognize signs of human trafficking and exploitation.

Ian Rushton from the Crown Prosecution Service described the victim as “one of the most vulnerable” individuals they had encountered. He explained that she was brought into the UK as a child, with no family or support network, and was completely unaware of her rights or the country’s social norms. Her case underscores the critical need for vigilance and improved procedures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

In addition to the rape charges, Ashar had previously been convicted of trafficking a person into the UK for exploitation and multiple counts of benefit fraud. The court’s decision follows a retrial after an earlier jury was unable to reach a verdict on the rape allegations. The case has raised serious concerns about immigration checks and the effectiveness of current safeguards against human trafficking.

As the court prepares to sentence Ashar on October 23 at Manchester Crown Court, the community and advocacy groups continue to reflect on the importance of protecting vulnerable individuals from such exploitation. The case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing fight against human trafficking and the need for heightened awareness and preventative measures across all levels of society.