Twenty people have been jailed for a combined total of 277 years after a major investigation into the sexual abuse of young girls in Kirklees. The offences were committed largely in Dewsbury and Batley against three girls, including one who was just 12 when the abuse began, and took place between 1995 and 2003.
Proceedings at Leeds Crown Court began in July 2023 and involved six separate trials. The final trial concluded in September 2024, with sentencing of the last suspect taking place in 2025. Reporting restrictions were imposed throughout to protect the fairness and integrity of the court process, and the full details have only now been made public.
The defendants received sentences ranging from three years to 28 years. One man was convicted of committing ten rape offences, while others were found guilty of rape, indecent assault, false imprisonment and, in two cases, controlling prostitution or supplying Class A drugs.
Among those sentenced was Sajid Majid, 53, of Mirfield, who received 28 years for five rapes and three indecent assaults. Aurrangzeb Azam, 56, of Dewsbury, was jailed for 20 years for ten rapes and one indecent assault. Both sentences were among the longest imposed in the case.
The list of those jailed also included Ansar Mahmood Qayum, 49, of Dewsbury, who received 10 years in this case, added to an existing 20-year sentence from a separate trial in 2022, giving him a total of 30 years. Other sentences included Tariq Azam, 57, of Dewsbury, jailed for 24 years, and Manaf Hussain, 51, of Heckmondwike, jailed for 25 years.
Police said the victims were repeatedly sexually assaulted and, in some cases, given Class A drugs, and were treated as commodities for the gratification of “heartless predators”. DCI Rob Stevens of Kirklees District Police said the case involved “truly appalling sexual abuse” and described the offenders as sexual predators who had no place in society.
He praised the courage of the victims, saying the case only came to light because they came forward and reported what had happened to them. He said their bravery in giving evidence through lengthy trials had been extraordinary and hoped they could take some pride in seeing justice done.
The full list of those sentenced includes:
- Ansar Mahmood Qayum, 49, Dewsbury, 10 years, plus an existing 20-year sentence.
- Sajid Majid, 53, Mirfield, 28 years.
- Manaf Hussain, 51, Heckmondwike, 25 years.
- Tariq Azam, 57, Dewsbury, 24 years.
- Zulfiqar Ali, 47, Dewsbury, 22 years and six months.
- Aurrangzeb Azam, 56, Dewsbury, 20 years.
- Shakeel Haq, 58, Birmingham, 19 years.
- Rafiq Patel, 73, Batley, 18 years.
- Zaheed Ali Novsarka, 58, Batley, 18 years.
- Mohammed Sheikh, 53, Batley, 14 years.
- Mohammed Yasin, 52, Batley, 14 years.
- Liaquat Hussain Hanif, 49, Batley, 12 years and six months.
- Ebrahim Mananiat, 56, Batley, 12 years.
- Ibrahim Khalifa, 87, Bradford, 11 years.
- Shafiq Siddique, 56, Dewsbury, 11 years.
- Mohammed Munir Shaffi, 48, Dewsbury, 9 years.
- Mohammed Ishtiaq Hussain, 51, Dewsbury, 8 years.
- Abbas Kaji, 57, Batley, 7 years.
- Donna Lynn, 45, Cleckheaton, 3 years.
- Tasawar Hussain, 46, Dewsbury, 3 years.
Two other men were found by the court to have committed the acts they were charged with but were judged unfit to enter pleas.