MOHAMMED HASSAN ALI AND OTHERS INDICTED IN NEWCASTLE SEX ABUSE SCANDAL INVOLVING DRUGS AND ORGANIZED EXPLOITATION

A disturbing series of criminal convictions has emerged from Newcastle, where eighteen individuals have been found guilty of heinous crimes involving the systematic abuse of young girls. The victims, some as young as 14 years old, were subjected to a calculated campaign of exploitation orchestrated by a highly organized and cynical group. This group would initially charm the victims, offering friendship and attention, only to later lure them into parties where alcohol and drugs, including the notorious mephedrone (commonly known as M-Kat), were readily available on coffee tables for the girls to help themselves.

These illicit gatherings, often referred to as 'sessions,' took place at various locations around Newcastle's West End, including the upper floors of the tower block known as Todd's Nook. It was at these venues that some victims endured repeated sexual assaults, with one teenager recounting being raped three times during a single night. The court heard that the victims were passed between different abusers within this organized network, which operated with a clear, systematic approach to exploiting vulnerable young women.

Many of the victims described being too intoxicated to resist or defend themselves, with some falling into drug addiction as a consequence of their abuse. Others were coerced into sexual acts in exchange for drugs or money. One victim, who attended approximately 60 parties, recounted her experiences, while another described being taken to an address where she encountered two older men and a woman who appeared frightened and submissive, warning that they would be beaten if they did not comply. A further victim explained that she understood that to obtain drugs or alcohol, she would have to engage in sexual acts, often being too intoxicated to fight off her abusers, with some being locked in rooms and told they could only leave if they submitted sexually.

These revelations came to light during a series of four trials, which examined the actions of 26 defendants from diverse backgrounds, including Bangladeshi, Pakistani, Indian, Iraqi, Iranian, and Turkish communities, most of whom were born in Britain and resided mainly in Newcastle's West End. The court proceedings, which spanned from 2011 to 2014, involved testimonies from 20 young women and resulted in the conviction of four individuals to date, with the remaining defendants awaiting sentencing next month.

An alarming aspect of the investigation was the disclosure that police had paid a convicted child rapist, Bahmani Ahmadi, £10,000 as an informant during an earlier operation. This revelation raised questions about the integrity of the investigation and the broader police approach to tackling such complex cases. The ongoing investigation, known as Operation Sanctuary, was launched in December 2013 by Northumbria Police to address allegations of sexual abuse against girls and young women. To date, the operation has led to 461 arrests, with police speaking to 703 potential complainants and identifying 278 victims.

Due to the extensive scope of the inquiry, the investigation was divided into several specialized units. One such unit, Operation Shelter, uncovered groups of men in Newcastle's West End 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 restrictions on reporting to be lifted.

Among those convicted is Mohammed Hassan Ali, aged 33, of Bentinck Street. He was found guilty of engaging in sexual activity with a child and supplying drugs to a victim, resulting in a seven-year prison sentence. Other notable convictions include Abdulhamid Minoyee, aged 33, of Gainsborough Grove, who was convicted of rape, sexual assault, and drug supply, and received a similar sentence. Several other defendants, such as Mohammed Azram, Jahangir Zaman, and Nashir Uddin, faced charges including conspiracy to incite prostitution, drug trafficking, and sexual assault, with sentences ranging from two to ten years.

In addition to the criminal proceedings, the case has prompted a serious review by Newcastle City Council concerning the welfare of vulnerable children in care. One victim, Sarah (a pseudonym), who was 19 at the time, was described as extremely vulnerable and unable to care for herself. She reported being repeatedly abused by older men, including Abdul Minoyee, in early 2014. Her testimony prompted police to investigate further, leading to the discovery of a larger scale of abuse involving multiple victims aged 14 and 15, who were driven into Newcastle, intoxicated with alcohol and cocaine, and subjected to repeated sexual assaults and beatings by groups of men.

Chief Constable Steve Ashman emphasized the police's unwavering commitment to tackling these crimes, stating, '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.' He also acknowledged past failures, including the dismissal of an officer for neglecting to investigate a sex offender’s phone during an earlier operation, which led to the conviction of Bahmani Ahmadi. Mr. Ashman assured that such incidents reflect a changed police culture in Northumbria, dedicated to thorough and diligent investigations.

Overall, the convictions mark a significant step in addressing organized sexual exploitation in Newcastle, highlighting the efforts of law enforcement and community agencies to protect vulnerable young women from predatory groups operating within the city.