Operation Stovewood: Taxi driver who raped young girls in Rotherham sentenced to 13 years in prison

A taxi driver who raped two children in Rotherham two decades ago has been sentenced to 13 years in prison.

Adam Ali, 43, was investigated and convicted as part of the National Crime Agency’s Operation Stovewood following allegations of child sexual abuse in the South Yorkshire town.

Ali, known as Razwan Razaq at the time of his crime, committed his attacks between 2002 and 2004. He used his car to drive vulnerable young girls to various locations and abuse them there.

He was found guilty of three counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault of girls aged 12 and 13 in a trial in May this year.

Ali was released from prison in April 2023 after serving an 11-year sentence for various sex offences investigated by South Yorkshire Police. He was arrested by the NCA just a month after his release after officers were informed that he intended to travel to Pakistan.

Yesterday, Tuesday 9 July, a judge at Sheffield Crown Court sentenced him to a further 13 years in prison and ordered him to serve a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) for 15 years.

Stuart Cobb, NCA lead investigator, said:

“I would like to once again pay tribute to the victims in this case who have shown tremendous courage in coming forward and telling their stories.

“They have had experiences that no child should ever have to go through and I hope that the verdict announced today at least gives them a sense that justice has been done.”

“Operation Stovewood continues and we are determined to do everything in our power to protect victims and bring perpetrators to justice.”

The NCA’s Operation Stovewood remains the largest investigation of its kind, investigating allegations of abuse in Rotherham between 1997 and 2013. NCA officers have identified more than 1,100 victims, made more than 200 arrests and secured 34 convictions. More than 50 active investigations remain ongoing.

Liz Fell, CPS special prosecutor, said:

“Adam Ali specifically targeted victims, believing he could exploit them for sex.

“Child sexual abuse is a traumatic crime whose devastating effects can last a lifetime. We would like to thank the victims in this case for coming forward and reporting what happened to them. Thanks to their evidence, we were able to secure a conviction and bring the perpetrator to justice.

“I hope this conviction sends a clear message that the CPS, working with law enforcement, will work tirelessly to ensure justice is achieved and will prosecute those who sexually exploit children whenever this abuse occurs.

“I encourage all victims of child sexual abuse and sexual violence to report the crimes committed against them to the police. It is never too late to seek justice.”

July 10, 2024