CPS convicts seven men of sexually abusing two young girls in Rotherham

Seven men were convicted of child sexual abuse against two young girls in Rotherham in the 2000s.

The CPS brought charges against Mohammed Amar (42), Mohammed Siyab (44), Yasser Ajaib (39), Mohammed Zameer Sadiq (49), Abid Saddiq (43), Tahir Yassin (38) and Ramin Bari (37) as part of Operation Stovewood.

Operation Stovewood is a large-scale investigation into child sexual abuse and exploitation that took place in Rotherham, South Yorkshire between 1997 and 2013.

All seven defendants were found guilty today (5 June 2024) in a trial at Sheffield Crown Court of child sexual abuse committed between April 2003 and April 2008.

The two victims in this case were just 11 and 15 years old when the crimes began and both spent time in the care of caregivers during the crime.

They were abused by the accused: Amar, Ajaibe, Sadiq and Sayib abused one victim, Yassin and Bari the other. Saddiq abused both girls.

The defendants regularly picked up the victims in their cars and gave them cigarettes, alcohol, cannabis and money. The girls were then attacked, forced to perform sexual acts or raped.

After presenting the extensive evidence gathered by the prosecution, the jury found the defendants guilty.

In this case, the victims involved were able to present their best evidence through special measures. For example, the cross-examination of one of the victims was recorded on video before the actual trial, outside the courtroom and the defendants.