A MAN who sexually assaulted and exploited a vulnerable girl has been sentenced to 14 years in prison.

Manzoor Hassan, 41 and from Lockwood, Huddersfield, was jailed at Leeds Crown Court today after being found guilty of both serious sexual assault and other offending against a teenage girl in Huddersfield between 2005 and 2007.

Hassan was investigated and sentenced as part of Kirklees Police's long-running Operation Tendersea, an investigation into non-recent sexual abuse of girls in the town.

He was previously jailed for five years in 2018 in the first series of Tendersea trials, for supplying Class A drugs to a 12-year-old girl, administering a noxious substance and inciting a person aged under 18 to become involved in prostitution.

In this latest prosecution, he was sentenced to a total of 14 years for a rape offence, two offences of supplying Class A drugs and an offence of controlling a child in relation to her sexual exploitation.

Hassan will serve the new sentence alongside his existing five-year sentence from the 2018 trial.

DCI Ian Thornes, of Kirklees District Police, said: “Manzoor Hassan’s treatment of a young and vulnerable victim in this latest case was both utterly wicked and callous in the extreme.

“He committed serious sexual offences against her and then forced her into prostitution for his own financial benefit. After he gained a hold over the victim, she found it very difficult to break free.

“It is hard to find words to describe how vile his abuse and exploitation of the victim in this case has been. 

“It speaks volumes for her bravery that she has come forwards and done everything she can to help us make sure a dangerous man is kept off the streets.

“I want to pay tribute to her and the other victims who have reported the evil offences these men have committed and given us the chance to take action against them”

"We very much continue to urge victims of sexual abuse in Huddersfield or anywhere else in Kirklees and West Yorkshire to come forward.

"Even if the abuse you suffered took place many years ago, we will listen, we will investigate and we will do our best to seek justice for you."