BROTHERS SENTENCED FOR GROOMING AND ABUSING YOUNG GIRLS

Three brothers who abused young girls, including victims as young as six, have been sentenced to prison. The men faced a total of 62 charges spanning from 1996 to 2012, with offenses committed in Barrow and Leeds. They were convicted following a trial at Preston Crown Court in October. Shaha Amran Miah, aged 49, of Bismarck Street, Leeds, and Shaha Joman Miah, aged 38, of Rowland Terrace, Leeds, were both sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum of 22 years each. The third brother, Shaha Alman Miah, aged 47, of Warmsworth Road, Doncaster, received an extended sentence of 14 years, of which at least 10 will be spent behind bars. The court heard that the victims were groomed through gifts, alcohol, and cigarettes and were threatened with violence if they disclosed the abuse. Judge Unsworth described the offenders as 'very high risk' and stated that they had robbed the victims of their childhood. The judge added, "I am satisfied each of you acted in a predatory and paedophilic manner. You saw your victims as vehicles to be used and abused at will, you treated them with utter contempt." During the trial, prosecutors portrayed the brothers as 'Team Miah,' emphasizing their family loyalty that led to denial and attempts to discredit witnesses. Passing sentence, the judge also ordered them to sign the sex offenders register for life, comply with sexual harm prevention orders, and barred them from contacting their victims. Following the sentencing, Det Ch Insp John Graham-Cumming of Cumbria Police commented that it had been 'a long and complex investigation,' emphasizing the bravery of the victims and witnesses, and noting that the offenders preyed on young girls and used threats of violence to silence them.