ROTHERHAM POLICE OFFICER JAILED FOR CHILD ABUSE
Seven men have been found guilty of grooming and exploiting young girls, including one who was sexually abused by "at least 100 Asian men" before the age of 16.Sheffield Crown Court heard how the men targeted and exploited the teenagers before subjecting them to acts of a "degrading and violent nature".
They abused five young girls over a seven year period in Rotherham.
The gang were convicted of offences including rape and indecent assault.
One girl described being bitten and raped by two of the men in Sherwood Forest while "high as a kite" on drugs.
Mohammed Imran Ali Akhtar, 37, from Godstone Road, Rotherham, was convicted of one rape, aiding and abetting rape, three indecent assaults, procuring a girl under 21 for unlawful sex, and a sexual assault.
Despite denying the offences, evidence from the victims' accounts resulted in a guilty verdict after an eight-week trial.
An important part of the case was a recorded message from Ali Akhtar, in which he said: "The thing is that was a wrong time when Shatan [the devil] whispers to you: 'Enjoy life, take drugs'.
He wants you to do haram [acts forbidden by Allah]".
Prosecutor Michelle Colborne QC said: "None of them had the maturity to understand that they were being groomed and exploited, often believing that sex was a necessary price for friendship." The convictions are part of the ongoing Operation Stovewood, the largest investigation into child sexual exploitation in the UK, which has identified over 1,500 victims in Rotherham alone.
The gang members, including Ali Akhtar, are due to be sentenced on 16 November.
