CALDERDALE GANG JAILED FOR GROOMING AND ABUSING GIRLS
A group of fifteen men responsible for systematically grooming and sexually abusing teenage girls in Halifax have been given prison sentences.These individuals were found guilty of various child sex crimes, including rape, grooming, and trafficking, following three separate trials held at Leeds Crown Court.
The prosecution commended the significant bravery and resilience demonstrated by the two victims who testified against their abusers.
The most severe sentence was 25 years, awarded in what was described as a complex and prolonged investigation.
The gang carried out abuse against a young girl in Halifax and Bradford between 2009 and 2011, according to the Crown Prosecution Service.
Additionally, another girl was sexually assaulted by one of the men involved.
In the largest investigation of its kind in the area, Peter Mann, head of the CPS complex casework unit for Yorkshire and Humberside, stated: "These men are responsible for multiple crimes involving child sexual exploitation and abuse." He noted that one victim was assaulted in a vehicle, while another was groomed and exploited systematically by the older men she associated with.
Some members of the gang groped her collectively, providing alcohol and drugs, whereas others took advantage of her alone.
West Yorkshire Police reported that the initial allegations surfaced in 2012 when a 15-year-old girl from Halifax came forward.
A second girl later provided testimony regarding another gang member.
**Background on the Victim** The primary victim was just 13 years old when the abuse began.
She reportedly came from a turbulent family background marked by addiction to drugs and alcohol, which persisted until 2011.
She was eventually placed in social care.
Now 21, she has moved on, living with her baby and far from Calderdale.
The police described this case as "the largest and longest-running child sexual exploitation investigation in Calderdale." Investigations included nearly 60 hours of interviews with two victims, the review of 1,848 statements, examination of 2,963 items, and over 20,000 disclosure items.
A total of 25 men faced charges; however, four were acquitted by a jury and three others were cleared by the judge.
Mr.
Mann emphasized the complexity and duration of the operation, praising the victims for their courage in reporting and providing evidence.
Tahir Mahmood, aged 43 from Halifax, received an 11-year prison term after being convicted of two counts of sexual activity with a minor and sexual assault.
