MULTIPLE MEN CHARGED WITH HISTORICAL CHILD SEXUAL OFFENCES IN SOUTH WALES
Eight men have been formally charged with a total of 34 criminal offences following a lengthy investigation into historic child sexual abuse.Authorities apprehended the suspects from various locations, including Newport, Swansea, London, Birmingham, Lancashire, Edinburgh, and the Argyll and Bute region in Scotland.
The operation, known as Oak, was described by Detective Chief Superintendent Andrew Tuck of Gwent Police as a thorough and prolonged inquiry into group-based child exploitation in South Wales.
The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed that it has approved the charges, which include 17 counts of rape.
This investigation targets claims made by multiple women regarding sexual abuse they endured as children during the period from 1985 to 1996.
Jenny Hopkins, the chief crown prosecutor for Wales, stated that prosecutors have determined there is enough evidence to proceed to court and that pursuing criminal action is justified in the public interest.
She also emphasized that the defendants are currently facing active criminal proceedings and are entitled to a fair trial.
All eight men, aged between 54 and 73, are British nationals and are scheduled to appear at Newport Magistrates' Court on July 24.
Their names and charges are as follows: Shafaq Mohammed, 58, from Birmingham, facing 11 counts including four of rape of a female under 16, three of rape of a female 16 or older, two aiding and abetting the rape of an under-16 female, and charges related to prostitution of females under and over 16.
Syed Mohammad Ashan Taqvi, 65, from Newport, charged with three counts of raping a female under 16.
Mohammed Sheikh Abdul Hannan, 54, from Edinburgh, facing eight charges: two counts of rape for females over 16, one of indecent assault on an over-16 woman, three of aiding and abetting the rape of females both under and over 16, and conspiracy to rape a woman over 16.
Kevin Lawrence, 54, from Dunoon, charged with three offences, including two counts of conspiracy to rape and causing a woman's prostitution.
Sheikh Mohammed Tahir Ullah, 73, from Newport, facing two charges: one of rape of a woman over 16 and another of rape of a female under 16.
Aminur Rahman Chowdhury, 58, from Tottenham, charged with one count of raping a female over 16.
Shakeel Babur, 58, of Lancashire, faces four counts of indecent assault on a girl under 16.
Murad Ali, 57, from Swansea, charged with two counts of raping a female under 16.
