MOHAMMED AKRAM FROM HUDDERSFIELD SENTENCED TO 27 YEARS FOR GROOMING AND SEXUAL ABUSE OF 12-YEAR-OLD GIRL

In a harrowing case that has shocked the community of Huddersfield, Mohammed Akram, a man with a disturbing history of sexual offenses, has been sentenced to a total of 22 years in prison for his involvement in the abuse of a young girl. This sentencing comes amidst a broader crackdown on child sexual exploitation in the region, which has seen multiple convictions under the ongoing Operation Tendersea.

In May, Akram, aged 33, along with Usman Khalid, aged 31, were found guilty at Leeds Crown Court after a detailed three-week trial. The court heard that the victim, a girl who was just 11 years old when she was first targeted, was subjected to repeated sexual assaults over several years. The first time Akram, known locally as Kid, sexually abused her was when she was 12, and Khalid’s single assault on her also occurred when she was the same age. The severity of the crimes and the vulnerability of the victim were emphasized during the proceedings.

Akram was already serving a 17-year sentence for previous convictions related to trafficking for sexual exploitation and rape involving two victims. Despite this, he was brought back to court to face additional charges, including trafficking, abduction, and multiple counts of rape, which he was found guilty of in May. The court rejected his claim that he believed the girl was 18, and he was convicted of two counts of trafficking for sexual exploitation, abduction, rape of a child under 13, and three counts of rape. He was acquitted on one count of rape.

Similarly, Khalid was convicted of a single count of sexual assault of a child under 13. Both men received their sentences concurrently, with Khalid receiving five years and Akram 22 years. The sentences are to run alongside the 17-year term Akram was already serving. The convictions are part of a wider effort by West Yorkshire Police to dismantle grooming networks operating in Huddersfield and surrounding areas.

The investigation, which spanned from January to October of the previous year, resulted in the conviction of 20 men, who collectively received a total of 257 years in prison. Among those targeted were 15 girls, all of whom suffered at the hands of these predators. Prosecutor Richard Wright QC highlighted the victim’s vulnerability, noting she was taken from her drug-addicted mother and placed in care, which made her an easy target for exploitation.

During the trial, the victim, referred to as Girl N, provided detailed testimony after enduring seven hours of cross-examination by Akram’s barrister, Abbas Lakha QC. She recounted how she was groomed from the age of 11 by Zahid Hassan, known as Little Manny, who is currently serving an 18-year sentence for multiple rapes. Girl N also described being abducted from a children’s home by Hassan, Akram, and others, and being repeatedly raped by Akram in a house several years later. Her testimony painted a stark picture of systemic failure, as she expressed her disillusionment with the care system that she felt had let her down from such a young age.

Other individuals involved in her abuse include Mansoor Akhtar, known as Boy, who is serving a 14-year sentence for rape and trafficking; Mohammed Irfraz, nicknamed Faj, currently serving six years for abduction and trafficking; and Hassan, who is serving an 18-year sentence. The police investigation revealed that multiple offenders, including Akram, Hassan, and Irfraz, abducted her from a children’s home, with Akram repeatedly raping her in subsequent years.

In court, Akram’s defense argued that he believed the girl was an adult, but this was dismissed by the jury. The verdict was reached after nearly 13 hours of deliberation, with Akram found guilty of rape of a child under 13, abduction, trafficking, and sexual assault. Khalid was also convicted of sexual assault of a child under 13. The jury was unable to reach a verdict on two other accused individuals, Shahnaz Malik and Naveeda Habeeb, who faced child cruelty charges. The Crown Prosecution Service announced that these charges would not be retried, leaving the case closed on those counts.

Detective Chief Inspector Richard McNamara of Kirklees District Police expressed his satisfaction with the convictions, emphasizing the importance of bringing such offenders to justice. He praised the bravery of the victim for coming forward and giving evidence, which was instrumental in securing these convictions. McNamara reaffirmed the police’s commitment to tackling child sexual exploitation, describing it as a top priority for West Yorkshire Police. The victims, whose identities are protected for life, are referred to by code letters to maintain their anonymity, underscoring the sensitive nature of these cases and the ongoing efforts to protect vulnerable children in Huddersfield and beyond.