HALIFAX MAN SARFRAZ RABNAWAZ JAILED FOR CHILD ABUSE
In Calderdale, twenty men have been sentenced to a total of more than two centuries in prison following a detailed investigation into historical child sexual abuse allegations.The combined sentences sum up to 219 years after all defendants were convicted of crimes including rape and sexual exploitation of minors.
These convictions stem from multiple investigative efforts and court trials that proved four girls, aged between 12 and 16, were subjected to abuse within Calderdale.
Court restrictions were initially implemented to protect the judicial process but have now been removed.
The probe began in 2016, focusing on allegations involving two girls between 2006 and 2009, when they were aged 13 to 16.
At Bradford Crown Court, a trial starting on October 21 resulted in Sarafraz Rabnawaz, 39 of Halifax, being found guilty of rape and sentenced to nine years.
A different trial that started in January 2022 saw Nadeem Adalat, also 39 from Halifax, convicted of rape and handed a 14-year sentence, which was eventually increased to 16 years upon appeal.
Also in 2016, authorities investigated repeated sexual abuse of a vulnerable girl from ages 13 to 16, covering the years 2002 to 2006.
The first trial in August 2022 led to Amir Shaban, 48 of Halifax, being convicted of rape and sentenced to 10 years.
The subsequent trial in October 2022 resulted in Malik Quadeer, 67, receiving 22 years for five counts of rape.
Mohammed Ziarab, 55, was sentenced to 10 years, Imran Raja Yasin to 10 years, and Kamran Amin to 10 years as well.
Mohammed Akhtar, 54, was sentenced to 11 years but died during incarceration.
Saquab Hussain, 46, received a sentence of seven and a half years.
The latest trial, which began in January 2024, involved sentences for Haroon Sadiq, 40, and Shafiq Ali Rafiq, 44, both convicted of two counts of rape and receiving 10 and 12-year sentences respectively.
Sarfraz Rabnawaz, 39, from Bradford, was also found guilty of two counts of rape and was sentenced to nine years.
Another case related to the sexual abuse of a girl from Calderdale between 2001 and 2002 was decided in December 2023; Craig Mitchell, 55 of Halifax, was sentenced to 12 years after being convicted of rape.
Detective Chief Inspector Claire Smith of Calderdale District Police praised the bravery of the victims and emphasized the ongoing efforts to combat child sexual exploitation.
She reiterated the force’s commitment to pursuing offenders and supporting victims and survivors, encouraging anyone with past abuse experiences to seek help.
Smith highlighted that all reports, even those concerning historic abuse, are taken seriously and handled by specially trained officers prepared to deal with sensitive situations.
