Seven Rochdale men charged with 76 offences in major child sexual exploitation operation

Seven men from Rochdale and a man from Blackpool have been charged with a total of 82 offences as part of Operation Lytton - a major non-recent child sexual exploitation investigation.

Mohammed Ghani, 37; Ali Razza Hussain Kasmi, 34; Jahn Shahid Ghani, 48; Ikhlaq Yousaf, 36; Aftar Khan, 33; Mohammed Iqbal, 66 and Insar Hussain, 36; all of Rochdale have been charged with 76 of the 82 offences.

The eighth man, Martin Rhodes, 38, of Blackpool has been charged with six offences including rape and sexual activity with a child.

Mohammed Ghani has been charged with 21 offences including rape, engaging in sexual activity with a child and gross indecency.

Ali Razza Hussain Kasmi has been charged with six offences including rape, gross indecency and sexual activity with a child.

Jahn Shahid Ghani has been charged with 17 offences including rape, sexual activity with a child, causing a child to engage in sexual activity.

Ikhlaq Yousaf has been charged with seven offences including rape, gross indecency and sexual activity with a child.

Aftar Khan has been charged eight offences including charged rape, sexual activity with a child and gross indecency.

Mohammed Iqbal has been charged with two counts of paying for sexual services of a girl under the age of 18.

Insar Hussain has been charged with 15 offences including rape, sexual activity with a child, gross indecency and trafficking persons within the UK for sexual exploitation.

They have all been released on bail ahead of an appearance at Manchester and Salford Magistrates' Court on 20 April 2022.

Operation Lytton is an ongoing GMP major investigation into non-recent child sexual exploitation across Greater Manchester.
 

Read more: Arrests as part of Operation LyttonPublished: 17 July 2020

These charges relate specifically to non-recent abuse committed against two teenage girls in Rochdale between 2002 and 2006.

Throughout the investigation detectives have been working alongside partners, including Rochdale Council, to provide a multi-agency response to safeguarding the victims and providing them with the support they need.

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If you or someone you know has been raped or sexually assaulted, we encourage you not to suffer in silence and report it to the police, or a support agency so you can get the help and support available.

- Saint Mary's Sexual Assault Referral Centre, Manchester provides a comprehensive and co-ordinated response to men, women and children who live or have been sexually assaulted within Greater Manchester. They offer forensic medical examinations, practical and emotional support as well as a counselling service for all ages. Services are available on a 24-hour basis and can be accessed by calling 0161 276 6515.

- Greater Manchester Rape Crisis is a confidential information, support and counselling service run by women for women over 18 who have been raped or sexually abused at any time in their lives. Call on 0161 273 4500 or email help@manchesterrapecrisis.co.uk

- Survivors Manchester provides specialist trauma informed support to boys and men in Greater Manchester who have experienced sexual abuse, rape or sexual exploitation. Call 0161 236 2182.