Why gang leader could not be unmasked

Rapist Shabir Ahmed was the unnamed ringleader of the gang that shocked the country in the recent child sexual-exploitation case.

Due to the separate rape trial having not started at the time, Rochdale Online was legally unable to identify the man so as not to prejudice the jury. Instead he became known as the 59-year-old ringleader.

But with the case now over, Rochdale Online is allowed to identify the beast — and the horrific role he played in the Rochdale and Oldham child sex ring.

Police praise victim’s bravery

Police chiefs have praised the rape victim for speaking out against the abuse.

Det Chief Supt Mary Doyle, head of GMP’s Public Protection Division, said: “This girl has shown phenomenal bravery to come forward and tell the police and other authorities about what happened to her and I hope the trial outcome gives other victims of abuse the confidence to trust in the police.

“We already knew Ahmed was an integral part of the Rochdale grooming case — now we can also say his horrific campaign of abuse began many years ago with the systematic rape of this one victim.”

The police are confident further arrests will follow in the light if this and the previous case.