Jury discharged in Rochdale child exploitation trial

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Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court

A jury in the trial of eight men accused of historical child sexual exploitation in Rochdale has been discharged for legal reasons.

The defendants, who include four men from Rochdale, deny various alleged sexual offences said to have been committed against two teenage girls between 2001 and 2006.

Both complainants are alleged to have been targeted from the age of 13.

The prosecution had begun presenting its case last week at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court. However, Judge Jonathan Seely discharged the jury, stating legal reasons for the decision.

A new jury will be selected at a later date for the trial, which is expected to last three months.

Among the Rochdale defendants are Roheez Khan, Mohammed Shahzad, Nisar Hussain, and Naheem Akram.

Also facing charges are Mohammed Zahid from Crumpsall, along with Kashir Bashir and Mushtaq Ahmed from Oldham.

All eight men deny the allegations against them.
 

Read more: 11 men from Rochdale, Oldham and Manchester charged with 103 child sexual exploitation offences relating to underage girls in RochdalePublished: 03 May 2023