JAHANGIR ZAMAN AND OTHERS INDICTED FOR ORGANISED SEXUAL ABUSE IN NEWCASTLE'S WEST END

A disturbing series of criminal convictions has shed light on a widespread and systematic abuse network operating within Newcastle's West End. Eighteen individuals, including Jahangir Zaman, have been found guilty of heinous crimes involving the exploitation of vulnerable young girls, some as young as 14 years old. These victims were subjected to a calculated campaign of manipulation, drugging, and sexual assault, orchestrated by a group described in court as a 'cynical organisation' that preyed on their innocence.

Over the course of four separate trials, the court heard harrowing testimonies from 20 young women, with evidence spanning from 2011 to 2014. The proceedings involved 26 defendants, who faced more than 100 charges collectively, including rape, supplying drugs, conspiracy to incite prostitution, trafficking, and sexual assault. The defendants hailed from diverse backgrounds, including Bangladeshi, Pakistani, Indian, Iraqi, Iranian, and Turkish communities, with most being British-born residents of the West End of Newcastle.

Among those convicted, four individuals have already received prison sentences, while the remaining defendants are awaiting sentencing scheduled for the following month. The investigation also uncovered troubling misconduct within law enforcement, revealing that police paid a convicted child rapist, Bahmani Ahmadi, a sum of £10,000 as an informant, raising questions about oversight and integrity in the police force.

The court detailed how the victims initially responded to the attention of the offenders with a mixture of flattery and trust. However, this trust was exploited as the offenders lured them to parties, colloquially termed 'sessions,' where alcohol and drugs—particularly mephedrone, also known as M-Kat—were readily available. Evidence presented showed bags of M-Kat left openly on coffee tables, encouraging the girls to indulge freely.

These parties were held at various locations around the West End, including the upper floors of tower blocks such as Todd's Nook. One teenage girl recounted being raped three times at one such location. Prosecutors described the victims as being passed between different abusers within an organized, systematic framework designed to maximize exploitation. Many victims testified that they were too intoxicated to resist or defend themselves, with some becoming addicted and feeling compelled to perform sexual acts in exchange for drugs.

One victim described attending approximately 60 parties, while another recounted being taken to an address where she encountered two older men and a woman who appeared frightened and submissive, describing the situation as akin to slavery. She recounted, 'They told us what she would do for them for money and drugs or she'd get battered.' Another victim explained that the threat of violence and the promise of drugs or alcohol coerced her into compliance, with one man reportedly locking the door and telling her she could only leave if she engaged in sexual acts.

In response to these crimes, Northumbria Police launched Operation Sanctuary in December 2013, an extensive investigation into allegations of sexual abuse against girls and young women. The operation remains ongoing, having resulted in 461 arrests, with police speaking to 703 potential complainants and identifying 278 victims to date. Due to the investigation's scale, it was divided into several specialized units, including Operation Shelter, which uncovered groups of men in the West End of Newcastle who exploited vulnerable young women over a period from 2010 to 2014.

This led to multiple trials, with the first commencing in September 2015 and the latest concluding recently, allowing previous reporting restrictions to be lifted. The investigation revealed a disturbing pattern of abuse involving multiple offenders, many of whom knew each other and operated within interconnected circles.

One particularly vulnerable victim, Sarah (a pseudonym), aged 19, was identified as being unable to care for herself and was frequently abused by older men. In early 2014, she reported to police that she had been raped by Abdul Minoyee. A police officer then conducted a detailed tour of the West End to locate Minoyee's residence and vehicle, as well as other locations where these illicit parties took place. Sarah's testimony was a red flag, indicating that the scale of abuse was far more extensive than initially believed.

Further investigations confirmed this suspicion when two girls in care, aged 14 and 15, reported being repeatedly raped by groups of older Asian men. These girls described being driven into Newcastle, where they were given alcohol and cocaine before being assaulted and beaten by multiple men. They also received money before being returned to their homes, highlighting the organized and predatory nature of the abuse network.

The seriousness of these crimes prompted Newcastle City Council to initiate a comprehensive serious case review, which is scheduled for publication in December. Council leader Nick Forbes condemned the acts, stating, 'These were vile crimes committed by evil men. The victims... have been brave beyond belief and undoubtedly have made our city safer.'

Chief Constable Steve Ashman emphasized the police force's unwavering commitment to tackling such crimes, asserting, 'We have not and will not stop. There has been no political correctness here. These are criminals and there has been no hesitation in arresting them and targeting them using all the means at our disposal.'

In a related development, it was revealed that a police officer was dismissed for failing to investigate a sex offender's phone during an earlier phase of Operation Sanctuary. This lapse was linked to the conviction of Bahmani Ahmadi, and Chief Constable Ashman stated that the officer's dismissal was indicative of a police culture that is now more diligent and accountable, aiming to restore public trust.

Regarding the recent convictions, Jahangir Zaman, aged 43, of Hadrian Road, was found guilty of conspiracy to incite prostitution, rape, and supplying drugs to a victim. Other notable convictions include Mohammed Azram, 35, of Croydon Road, and Nashir Uddin, 35, of Joan Street, both convicted of conspiracy to incite prostitution and supplying drugs. Saiful Islam, 34, received a ten-year sentence for rape, while Mohammed Hassan Ali, 33, was jailed for seven years for sexual activity with a child and drug offenses. The list of convicted individuals also includes Yasser Hussain, Abdul Sabe, Habibur Rahim, Badrul Hussain, and several others, each linked to various aspects of the organized abuse network.

These convictions mark a significant step in addressing the systemic exploitation that plagued Newcastle's West End, highlighting the efforts of law enforcement and community agencies to combat such heinous crimes and protect vulnerable populations from predatory groups.