Fifteen men who raped a child in Bradford during a four-year period of horrific sexual abuse are beginning jail sentences totalling 188 years.
Several of the men, who were primarily from Bradford, were convicted of multiple rapes against the same teenager.
The longest sentence was handed to Yousaf Bhatti, 40, formerly of Heather Grove, off Haworth Road in Bradford, who received 17 years for eight rapes.
The other men’s sentences ranged from 15 years to eight years.
Numerous trials have taken place over the last two years but have all been subject to reporting restrictions to protect the integrity of legal proceedings.
The T&A is now free to report what has happened after Her Honour Judge Kirstie Watson lifted the restrictions at Bradford Crown Court earlier today (June 3).
Speaking after her abusers were sentenced, the woman at the heart of the case said: “This has consumed my life for just short of 20 years.
“It is not something which I can forget.”
The survivor of the men’s attacks was aged between 14 and 18 at the time of the abuse, which took place during a four-years period more than a decade ago.
The woman was approached by the police in November 2015 after being identified by officers as a potential survivor of child sexual exploitation.
She was identified as police records indicated that she had been the subject of multiple missing person reports.
A formal investigation was then launched in February 2016.
The lengthy prison sentences reflect the gravity of the men’s offending, and the sheer number of rapes they committed, which for some was in double figures.
After Bhatti, the next longest sentence was handed to Anwar Aziz.
The 36-year-old, formerly of Victor Road, Manningham, Bradford, got 15 years for 14 rapes.
Then Omar Taj, 39, of Batley but formerly of Highgate, Heaton, Bradford, received 15 years for 12 rapes.
Faisal Rashid, 37, and formerly of Abbeydale Drive, Allerton, Bradford, committed ten rapes and was sentenced to 15 years.
The judge handed 13-and-a-half years to Abdul Basith.
The 44-year-old, formerly of Sylhet Close, off Lumb Lane in Bradford, was sentenced for four rapes and one conspiracy to rape.
Burhan Uddin Ali got 13-and-a-half years.
The 39-year-old, formerly of Curzon Road, Barkerend in Bradford, committed four rapes.
Asif Budhia, 43, formerly of Wingfield Mount, Barkerend in Bradford, got 13 years for four rapes.
For committing four counts of rape, 42-year-old Mohammed Nadeem Ali, formerly of North Park Terrace, Heaton, Bradford, was handed 13 years.
Hannan Miah, 40, of Bradford, received 12 years’ imprisonment for four rapes.
Ashfaq Ahmed from Halifax carried out two rapes.
The 38-year-old, formerly of Warley Road, King Cross, got 12 years.
Aftab Ahmed, 37, formerly of Nearcliffe Road, Heaton, Bradford, received 11 years in prison for three rapes.
Amjad Hussain, 39, of Keighley and formerly of Gledhow Lane in north-east Leeds, was handed 10 years and five months for five counts of rape.
Both Muhammad Yasir, 40, formerly of Heaton Road, Bradford, and Shahinul Haq, 39, formerly of Glen View Avenue, off Toller Lane, Bradford, received 10 years for rape.
Jameel Ahmed, got eight years.
The 35-year-old, formerly of Devonshire Terrace, Manningham, Bradford, was convicted of four counts of rape.
The woman who survived the group’s attacks said her childhood had been taken away.
In a statement following the conviction and sentencing of her abusers, she said: ‘‘The men involved have taken more away from me than what I can ever describe in words and looking back now I feel sad for my 12-year-old self, knowing what was to come.
“All in all, this has consumed my life for just short of 20 years. It is not something which I can forget.
“My childhood has been taken away from me, the impact from what I suffered during my teens will always live with me and I will carry that every day and learn to navigate my way through life with that.”
A senior detective praised the woman’s bravery and welcomed the lengthy sentences handed down by the judge, which followed a lengthy and complex operation involving multiple trials.
Detective Chief Inspector Vicky Greenbank of Bradford District Police said: “We welcome the convictions and the sentences today for what has been a long time coming for the survivor in this case.
“I would like to commend her courage and bravery that she has shown throughout the investigation and the court process.
“These men horrifically abused a child for their own sexual gratification, what they did was abhorrent and they deserve to be in jail for a long time.”
She added: “This has been a long and complex investigation resulting in multiple trials. I hope today’s outcome will give the victim some closure and a sense of justice.
“I hope these convictions give confidence to anyone who has suffered abuse, no matter how long ago, to come forward and report it.
“We will listen to you, and we will ensure that your report is fully investigated.”
West Yorkshire Police issued the following advice to others who may have been abused:
If someone has sexually assaulted you, please tell someone. Police have specially trained officers who can provide support and investigate these types of offences. You can find out more information on our website - What to do if you have been sexually assaulted or raped | West Yorkshire Police.
As a force, we also support the When You Are Ready campaign launched to support victims and survivors of child sexual abuse and exploitation (CSAE). 'When you are ready' campaign | West Yorkshire Police.
