RAMIN BARI

Seven men responsible for abusing two young girls in Rotherham have been sentenced to prison for their heinous crimes.

In a court appearance on Thursday at Sheffield Crown Court, the defendants – Abid Saddiq, Mohammed Sadiq, Ramin Bari, Mohammed Amar, Yaser Ajaib, Mohammed Siyab, and Tahir Yasin – faced their victims, one of whom declared that they represent their "karma." These individuals had previously been convicted of multiple severe offenses.

Amar, aged 42 from Elizabeth Way, Rotherham, was convicted of two counts of indecent assault against a minor girl.

Ajaib, aged 39 from Walker Street, was found guilty of indecent assault of a girl.

Siyab, 34 from Stevenson Drive, was convicted of engaging in sexual intercourse with a girl under 13, alongside two counts of rape and trafficking offenses within the UK for sexual exploitation.

Saddiq, 43, formerly of Rotherham, was convicted of indecent assault, rape of a girl under 13, and two additional rape counts.

Yasin, 38 of Burngreave Street, Sheffield, faced eight counts of rape.

Sadiq, aged 49 of Richard Road, Rotherham, and Bari, of Batemoore Road, Sheffield, were also awaiting sentencing for sexual acts involving underage girls.

The court revealed that the victims were between 11 and 16 years old and in care during the early 2000s when the abuse occurred.

Prosecutor Nicholas Lumley KC explained that the defendants often picked up the victims from care homes or met them in public, providing alcohol and cigarettes, then taking them on car journeys and coercing them into sexual activities.

The defendants either denied the offenses or claimed ignorance of the girls' identities.

One survivor, who was abused starting at age 11, courageously delivered a victim impact statement, describing how the offenders "passed me around like I was a piece of meat," exploiting her for their own sexual pleasure and trafficking her across England.

She expressed resilience, stating, "I am a fighter and a survivor, fighting to reclaim my childhood," and declared that she would not let them ruin her future.

On Friday, the men received prison sentences from Judge Slater, who also imposed restraining orders to prevent contact with the victims and indefinite bans on working with children.

All were ordered to register on the Sex Offenders' Register indefinitely.

Saddiq received a 25-year extended sentence, combining a 24-year prison term with a one-year extended license period, along with an ongoing sexual harm prevention order.

Sadiq was sentenced to 16 years—15 in prison plus a one-year license.

Bari was sentenced to nine years, Yasin to 13 years, Amar to 16 years with a 14-year custody and two-year license, Ajaib to seven years (including a one-year license), and Siyab to a 25-year term with a one-year license.

Following sentencing, NCA Senior Investigating Officer Stuart Cobb emphasized the cruelty and manipulation involved, noting the grooming of victims and their exploitation during perpetration of some of the worst crimes investigated under Operation Stovewood.

He praised the victims’ bravery in coming forward and expressed hope that justice would bring them some resolution.

Zoe Becker, representing the Crown Prosecution Service, highlighted that the men intentionally targeted vulnerable girls, exploiting them with drugs and alcohol for sexual gain.

She acknowledged the lasting trauma inflicted and thanked the victims for their courage, affirming that authorities remain committed to seeking justice.

She urged others who have experienced similar abuse to come forward, asserting that it is never too late and that support is available.