SHAHZAD MASOOD AND MOHAMMED SULEMAN JAILED IN OLDHAM CHILD ABDUCTION CASE

In a disturbing incident that took place in Oldham, two men, Shahzad Masood and Mohammed Suleman, were convicted and sentenced for their involvement in the abduction of a young girl. The incident occurred when the girl was taken from outside her residence in Oldham, a town that has been increasingly scrutinized for its ongoing issues related to child exploitation and grooming.

According to court records, Shahzad Masood, aged 33 and residing on Melford Avenue in New Moston, along with Mohammed Suleman, aged 39 and living on Derby Court in Werneth, both pleaded guilty to the charge of abduction. Their plea was entered during proceedings at Manchester Crown Court, where they received a sentence of one year in prison. Additionally, the court imposed indefinite Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (Asbos) on both men, aiming to prevent any further contact or similar offenses in the future.

The case drew attention not only because of the crime itself but also due to the circumstances surrounding the incident. The young girl, whose identity remains protected, was taken from outside her home but was later found walking home alone at approximately 3 a.m. She refused to disclose any details to the police regarding what had transpired during her abduction, leaving investigators with limited information about the incident.

During the court proceedings, both defendants claimed they believed the girl was 16 years old, asserting that they thought they were engaging with an older minor. However, Detective Chief Inspector Mary Doyle of Oldham CID refuted these claims, emphasizing that there was little doubt the men were aware the girl was under 16. She stated, “There is little doubt that these men were aware that this child was under 16.”

Detective Doyle further explained the challenges faced by law enforcement in such cases, noting that vulnerable children targeted by predators often go willingly with offenders, not fully understanding the potential danger they are in. She expressed her hope that the prosecution would serve as a stern warning to others who might consider similar actions, emphasizing that such behavior is unacceptable and will be met with rigorous legal action. “This behaviour will not be tolerated and we will take all possible action to make sure the people responsible are brought to justice,” she declared.

Oldham, a town with a history of complex issues related to child exploitation, has been under increased scrutiny following a series of investigations into grooming and abuse. The town’s authorities have been working diligently to combat these problems, which have come to light through multiple reports and police operations.

Back in December 2006, Oldham was at the center of a significant child sex grooming scandal, with allegations that more than 20 underage girls, some as young as 12, had been targeted and exploited by predatory individuals operating within the borough. Detectives established a dedicated unit in collaboration with Oldham Council to address the rising concerns about child abuse and grooming.

Since the initial reports, five men have been charged with serious offenses involving minors and have appeared or are scheduled to appear in court. Investigations revealed that a larger number of individuals had been interviewed and arrested, highlighting the extent of the problem. The victims, mostly girls aged between 12 and 17 from diverse cultural backgrounds, some in council care, have come forward with allegations of abuse.

Among those charged are Shahzad Masood and Suleman Mohammed, both of whom were accused of abduction in August 2006. Other individuals, such as Sarwar Ali, charged with rape in November 2006, and Kadir Hussain, also charged with rape, have been remanded into custody. The police have clarified that these individuals are not believed to be part of a coordinated sex ring but are nonetheless part of a disturbing pattern of exploitation.

Ruth Baldwin, the executive director responsible for young people and families, commented on the scale of the problem, stating, “Unless you scratch below the surface you do not realize the enormity of the problem. We are not talking about teenage relationships. These are men in their 20s, 30s and beyond.” She explained that initial efforts to investigate the issue began with small projects in 2004, which led to more girls coming forward in subsequent years, especially after a significant increase in disclosures in 2005 and 2006.

To combat this ongoing threat, the local authorities, police, the Primary Care Trust, and charity organizations like Barnardo’s have established a specialized team based in Chadderton. This team includes three dedicated officers, with plans to add more, along with social workers, support staff, and a part-time project manager. The aim is to identify and apprehend child sex offenders more effectively and to provide support to victims.

One of the major challenges faced by authorities is that many young girls do not see themselves as victims. Instead, they often believe that the men involved are their boyfriends, which complicates intervention efforts. Chief Superintendent Caroline Ball of Oldham Police highlighted this issue, stating, “Unfortunately, the affection these victims can often mistakenly feel can mean they feel a loyalty to protect them. We need to make these girls aware that this is not the case, that they need to stand up and show that they do not deserve to be treated with so little respect.”

While the council has not publicly disclosed the exact number of children in care who have been targeted, officials remain confident that current safeguarding measures are sufficient. Janet Donaldson, chair of Oldham’s Local Safeguarding Board, assured the public that existing protocols are robust, stating, “We are not doing anything in terms of changing practices. We already have in place everything we need to have in place. We have a high standard of care.” She added that where children are identified as high risk, appropriate actions, including moving them to secure accommodation or out of the borough, have been taken.

In addition, all local high schools have been briefed to recognize signs of potential abuse or grooming, aiming to protect vulnerable students from falling prey to predators. The ongoing efforts reflect a community-wide commitment to safeguarding its youth and preventing further exploitation in Oldham.