Child sex offences they were accused of included rape, grooming and trafficking - in crimes which the police described as 'horrendous'. Fifteen men have been jailed for years for "systematically" grooming and sexually abusing teenage girls in Halifax - with one man getting 25yrs alone. Child sex offences they were accused of included rape, grooming and trafficking - in crimes which the police described as "horrendous".
The young girl victims who gave evidence against the gang are tonight being praised for their "immense courage and bravery". It is said to be one of the largest and longest running investigations into child sexual exploitation ever to take place in the UK.
In what was described as a "complex and lengthy operation" there were three separate trials at Leeds Crown Court, the results of which can now all be reported on for the first time. The men allegedly abused a young girl in Halifax and Bradford between and Another victim was also sexually assaulted by one of the gang members.
She was said to have come from a "chaotic family background" and was eventually taken into social care. In total 25 men were charged and during the trials four were cleared by a jury while three others were acquitted on the orders of the judge.
Furthermore, Fasil Mahmood, 37, of Halifax, was jailed for 10 months after being found guilty of supplying Class B drugs. And Farquaan Gafar, 31, of Derby, admitted one count of sexual touching and is due to be sentenced at a later date. Sentencing of another gang member, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been adjourned until next week. Peter Mann, head of the CPS complex casework unit for Yorkshire and Humberside, said: "These men are responsible for a range of crimes involving child sexual exploitation and abuse.
