Eight men accused of sexual exploitation of girls

Seven men from Rochdale and a man from Blackpool charged with 82 offences as part of a major non-recent child sexual exploitation investigation have appeared in court.

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

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.

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

The men did not enter pleas and were bailed ahead of a crown court hearing; Insar Hussain was remanded into custody.

All of the men will reappear at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court on 25 May.
 

Read more: Seven Rochdale men charged with 76 offences in major child sexual exploitation operationPublished: 16 March 2022