LONDON: Dozens of men involved in the sexual abuse of young girls in Kirklees, West Yorkshire have been handed jail terms totaling 346 years following an extensive police inquiry.

The Leeds Crown Court witnessed the sentencing of several individuals on April 26 as part of Operation Tourway, an exhaustive investigation into historical sexual exploitation in North Kirklees.

Among those sentenced were Asif Ali (53) from Batley, Mohammed Tausif Hanif (39) from Dewsbury, Ali Shah (38) from Dewsbury, Moshin Nadat (38) from Heckmondwike, Sarfraz Miraf (38) from Dewsbury, Mohammed Nazam Nasser (38) from Batley, and Amir Ali Hussain (45) from Batley, all found guilty of multiple offenses.

An additional individual was placed under a hospital order following court proceedings.

These latest convictions bring the total number of men sentenced to 25, for their involvement in the rape, sexual abuse, and trafficking of eight young girls between 1999 and 2012.

Inspector Oliver Coates of Kirklees Police hails convictions as significant milestone for the victims

The trials, shielded by reporting restrictions, have now concluded, allowing for the disclosure of the identities and sentences of those convicted.

Details of the sentences include Khurum Raziq (42) from Heckmondwike receiving 22 years for eight counts of rape, Nasar Hussain (46) from Dewsbury sentenced to 18 years for three rape offenses, and Zafar Qayum (44) from Dewsbury handed 30 years for various charges including rape and indecent assault.

Asif Ali from Batley received a staggering 24-year sentence for 14 counts of rape, among other charges.

Detective Chief Inspector Oliver Coates of Kirklees Police hailed the convictions as a significant milestone for the victims, praising their courage in coming forward.

He remarked, “Men such as Asif Ali, who alone was found guilty of 14 rape offenses, committed appalling sexual abuse on a scale which can barely be believed, and saw their young victims as defenseless commodities to be abused and traded at whim.”

Coates expressed hope that the victims could find closure knowing they played a pivotal role in removing sexual predators from the streets for years to come.

Published in Dawn, April 29th, 2024