MOHAMMED IMRAN ZADA SENTENCED IN BATLEY AND KIRKLEES SEX ABUSE CASES

A significant crackdown on sexual abuse in North Kirklees has culminated in the imprisonment of dozens of men, with a total combined sentence of 346 years. This extensive police investigation, known as Operation Tourway, has uncovered a disturbing pattern of non-recent sexual exploitation involving young girls in the region, particularly in the towns of Batley, Dewsbury, Heckmondwike, and Wakefield.

On April 26, at Leeds Crown Court, the latest group of offenders received their sentences after being convicted of multiple serious crimes. The investigation has spanned several years, beginning with reports of abuse dating back to 1999 and extending through to 2012. The case has revealed a disturbing network of individuals involved in the rape, trafficking, and sexual abuse of vulnerable young girls in North Kirklees.

Among those convicted is Mohammed Imran Zada, a 45-year-old man from Batley, who was sentenced to 15 years in prison for his involvement in four counts of rape and one count of sexual activity with a child. His conviction is part of a broader series of sentences handed down to 24 men, many of whom had their identities and sentences previously protected by reporting restrictions. With these restrictions now lifted, full details of their crimes and punishments are publicly available.

The court proceedings have revealed the extent of the abuse, with some offenders receiving sentences exceeding 30 years. For instance, Zafar Qayum, also from Dewsbury, was sentenced to 30 years for six counts of rape, five counts of indecent assault, and three counts of aiding and abetting rape. Other notable sentences include Khurum Raziq from Heckmondwike, who received 22 years for eight rape offences, and Nasar Hussain from Dewsbury, who was sentenced to 18 years for three rape offences.

Additional sentences include Ansar Qayum from Dewsbury, who received 20 years for four counts of rape and attempted indecent assault, and Mohammed Saleem Nasir, also from Dewsbury, sentenced to 19 years for three rape offences and aiding and abetting rape. The sentences reflect the gravity of the crimes committed, which span over a decade and involve multiple victims.

In total, the court has sentenced 24 men, including individuals from Batley, Dewsbury, Heckmondwike, Wakefield, and even Leicester. The sentences range from as low as four and a half years to over 30 years, with some offenders, such as Asif Ali from Batley, receiving particularly lengthy terms—24 years for 14 counts of rape, trafficking, and related offences.

Detectives began their investigation into these historical crimes in 2015, focusing on reports of abuse involving some of the suspects. The operation intensified with arrests across West Yorkshire starting in November 2018. By December 2020, all suspects had been formally charged, and court proceedings commenced on December 11 of that year. The trials, which took place at Leeds Crown Court, spanned from 2022 to 2024, culminating in the recent sentencing of these individuals.

Throughout the investigation, authorities uncovered additional suspects, highlighting the widespread nature of the abuse. The case underscores the importance of safeguarding vulnerable children and the relentless efforts of law enforcement to bring perpetrators to justice, regardless of how much time has passed since the crimes occurred.