Council leader: "Passage of time does not protect child abusers in Rotherham"

Three brothers and three other men were sentenced for 19 “vile” offences committed against two girls including rape and false imprisonment at Sheffield Crown Court today.

Rotherham Borough Council leader Chris Read said the case showed “the passage of time” did not protect offenders.

He added: “This sentencing once again shows how this abuse will not be tolerated and how we will continue to seek justice for those who were abused in the past.

“Perpetrators must understand that the passage of time does not protect them.

“We will continue to work in partnership with the National Crime Agency as they pick up the mantle from South Yorkshire Police to continue to bring perpetrators of this kind of crime to justice.”

Brothers Basharat Dad (32) of Eldon Road, Eastwood, Nasar Dad (36) of Cranworth Road, Eastwood, and Tayab Dad (34) of St Lawrence Road, Tinsley, were convicted of 16 offences between them.

Basharat was jailed for 20 years after being convicted of six counts of rape, five of indecent assault and one of false imprisonment.

Nasar was jailed for 14-and-a-half years  for one count of rape, inciting indecency with a child and false imprisonment and Tayab will spend 10 years behind bars for rape.

Matloob Hussain (42) of Doncaster Road, Thrybergh, and Mohammed Sadiq (40) of Oxley Grove, Broom, were both found guilty of sexual intercourse with a girl under 13.

Hussain and Sadiq were both jailed for 13 years.

Amjad Ali (38), of Worksop, admitted before the trial to sexual intercourse with a girl under 13. He was jailed for 11 years.

Ian Thomas, the council’s strategic director of children and young people’s services, said: “Today we have once again seen justice being delivered with these long sentences handed down to those who have committed this awful historic abuse. We are sending a clear message to those who commit child sexual exploitation that this is not something which we will put up with here in Rotherham.

Ian Thomas

“Not only does this send a message to those who have committed crimes in the past, but also to those who are committing crimes today.”

Rotherham MP Sarah Champion said society owed a "huge debt of gratitude" to the victims for coming forward to the police.

She said: "The survivors will have given courage and inspiration to victims of abuse.

"By continuing to successfully prosecute abusers, we are sending the message loud and clear that these despicable crimes will not be tolerated. We should not rest until justice has been served for the victims of child sexual exploitation in Rotherham and around the UK.

"I would like to thank South Yorkshire Police for their hard work and the CPS for pursuing a successful prosecution."

Lead investigating officer Det Chief Insp Martin Tate said the verdicts and sentences showed victims and survivors could have confidence in coming forward.

“Today's hearing is the culmination of a lengthy and complex investigation into the sexual abuse and exploitation of vulnerable children in Rotherham nearly two decades ago,” he said.

“This is our third significant inquiry into child sexual exploitation in Rotherham and with the lengthy jail terms handed down to these individuals today, we have now put 18 criminals behind bars.

"This was a South Yorkshire Police led investigation in partnership with Rotherham Council and the Crown Prosecution Service, and I would like to thank them for their assistance with the investigation.

"Following the successes achieved, we will now continue to move forward using the learning and best practice we have acquired over the last few years, through work done with our brave victims, their families and partnership agencies, to apply this practice to future investigations.

"I’d encourage any victims and survivors out there who are yet to come forward to please get in touch or tell someone you trust.

"Officers and specialist support agencies are here to listen, to investigate and to bring perpetrators of this heinous crime before the courts.”

Anyone who is concerned about the safety of a young person, or who may be suffering abuse themselves, should contact police on 101.

Alternatively, call the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) on 01709 336080.

In an emergency always dial 999.