Ex-lord Nazir Ahmed to face retrial over child sex abuse charges

The ex-Labour lord (63), of East Bawtry Road, went on trial in February accused of historical sex offences against two complainants. His brothers Mohammed Farouq (70) and Mohammed Tariq (65) had also been accused of assault but were deemed not fit to plead on health grounds.

But after two days of evidence, the Recorder of Sheffield, Judge Jeremy Richardson, stopped the trial and discharged the jury after a series of late disclosures by the prosecution.

He sought to permanently stay the indictment, which meant the case could not go to a re-trial, after branding the prosecution “disgraceful” over its failure to provide all the evidence to the defence well in advance of the trial.

The judge described the situation as a “comprehensive mess” and “shameful”.

The Crown Prosecution Service's appeal has been upheld by the Court of Appeal.

Lord Justice Fulford announced the decision to reinstate the criminal proceedings.

"On June 17, 2021, the Court of Appeal quashed the order of (Judge Richardson), made on March 8, 2021, staying the case against Nazir Ahmed, Mohammed Tariq and Mohammed Farouq as an abuse of process," he said in his ruling.

Ahmed was accused of sexually assaulting a boy between 1971 and 1972 and of attempting to rape a girl between 1973 and 1974.

The former Rotherham councillor denied all the charges against him, including buggery, indecent assault and two counts of attempted rape.

Farouq and Tariq were accused of assaulting the same boy but ruled unfit to plead and faced a trial of the facts.

Tariq, of Gerard Road, Rotherham, faced two counts of indecent assault between 1968 and 1972 and Farouq, of Worrygoose Lane, Rotherham, faced four counts of indecent assault between 1970 and 1972.