SHAKIL MUNIR AND SAKIB AHMED FROM MIDDLESBROUGH SENTENCED FOR GROOMING UNDERAGE GIRLS IN TEESSIDE

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Middlesbrough, three men, including Shakil Munir, have been convicted and sentenced for their involvement in the sexual exploitation and grooming of underage girls in the Teesside area. The case, which unfolded over several weeks at Teesside Crown Court, revealed a pattern of predatory behavior that targeted vulnerable young girls, some as young as 13 years old.

On February 2014, the court handed down a total of 19 years of imprisonment to two of the offenders, while the third received a lesser sentence. Judge John Walford, presiding over the case, delivered a stern judgment, condemning the defendants for their callous treatment of the victims. He stated that the men had viewed the girls—who ranged in age from 13 to 15—as mere objects for their own sexual gratification, disregarding their youth and innocence.

Judge Walford emphasized the tragic reality that these girls lacked the maturity to understand or resist the manipulative tactics employed by the offenders. The court heard harrowing details of how the victims had been subjected to taunts, insults, and threats, both from the defendants and their associates. The girls were also bombarded with obscene messages, called derogatory names such as sluts, and falsely accused of being racist, adding to their trauma. The judge described the treatment of the victims as “appalling,” highlighting the deeply troubling attitude that underpinned the offending.

Following the sentencing, the mother of one of the victims expressed her anguish outside the court. She stated, “The girls are still being tortured by these people—they are painting them as sluts when they are the victims.” Her words underscored the ongoing emotional toll faced by the young girls, who continue to suffer from the aftermath of the abuse.

Throughout the proceedings, police maintained a significant presence both inside and outside Teesside Crown Court. The atmosphere was tense, with around 20 members of the English Defence League exchanging insults with supporters of the defendants, reflecting the heightened emotions surrounding the case.

Earlier in December 2013, the case had already garnered attention as two men and a 17-year-old youth faced charges related to the grooming and sexual exploitation of underage girls in Middlesbrough. Six victims, aged between 13 and 15, came forward to describe how they had been coerced into sexual acts through threats and intimidation by the accused, including Shakil Munir, 32, and Sakib Ahmed, 19. The court heard that Munir, a taxi driver, had taken a 14-year-old girl to a lay-by for sex after picking her up in his car. Similarly, he had taken another 13-year-old girl to a “chill-pad” for sexual activity within the same week.

Details about Sakib Ahmed and Ateeq Latif, both of Middlesbrough, were also revealed during the trial. Ahmed, who was 19 at the time, admitted to engaging in sexual activity with multiple underage girls, including pressuring them into oral sex and full intercourse after taking them for drives. Latif, aged 17, was convicted of assisting Ahmed by accompanying him on drives and helping to facilitate the abuse, such as taking one girl for a walk to leave her alone with Ahmed in the car.

The investigation was prompted when one of the victims confided in her mother about the abuse she had endured. Her mother provided crucial testimony during the lengthy trial, which lasted seven weeks. Evidence showed that Munir had sent hundreds of explicit messages via Facebook to one of his victims after befriending her online. The court also learned that another victim, who is now in care, was just 13 when Munir took her to a flat for sex.

Throughout the trial, the court heard how Munir used BlackBerry messaging to manipulate his victims, pretending to like them to gain their trust before pressuring them into sexual acts. One victim recounted how she met Munir at an under-18s disco, where he forcibly kissed her in the toilets after she told him she was only 14. Following this, he continued to contact her via BlackBerry, arranging further meetings where he pressured her into having sex near a field.

Judge Walford urged the jury not to compare this case with other grooming cases across the country, emphasizing that their decision should be based solely on the evidence presented. The defendants, residing on Tollesby Road, Abingdon Road, and Cambridge Road in Middlesbrough, are scheduled for sentencing at a later date, as the court continues to process their convictions and determine appropriate penalties for their crimes.