Seven Afghan refugees charged over child sexual exploitation
Seven men have been charged with a total of 40 offences as part of an investigation into group-based child exploitation.
Norfolk Police said the men - six aged 20 and one aged 21 - were all Afghan nationals and were arrested on Wednesday following raids on six addresses in Norwich and one in Dumbarton.
An eighth suspect was arrested in Ireland
The charges relate to two girls, aged in their early to mid-teens at the time of the alleged offences, and are said to have happened between August 2023 and May 2025 in Norwich.
All seven men spoke via interpreters to confirm their names, ages and addresses when they appeared before magistrates in Norwich earlier.
Police said the men's immigration status was "refugee".
Five of the defendants entered the country on small boats, according to the police. One came to the UK concealed on a lorry and another arrived via a port.
None of them had lived at asylum hotels in Norfolk, nor did the alleged offences happen at a hotel housing asylum seekers, the force added.
Names and faces of six Halifax men jailed for sexual abuse as brave survivor commended
Detectives have commended the outstanding courage of the survivor following the sentencing of the men at Bradford Crown Court today for multiple sexual offences including rape.
The offences were committed against the girl in the Calderdale area in the 2000s.
In a statement read to the court, she said: “The abuse took away my sense of safety.
"It took away my trust. It has affected every part of my life, my relationships, my family, my education, my employment my physical and mental health, my confidence, and the way I feel in the world.
“Even now, I struggle to let people in. Even now, I am on edge, afraid that someone might take advantage of me again.
"The shame, the guilt, the self-blame I carried for years made me feel so isolated and alone.”
"This was not just a single moment in my life, it was a serious of events, a violation that leaves lifelong scars.
"I am trying to heal, but the harm done to me was deep and its effects are everlasting.”
Police were made aware of the offending in 2019 when the survivor came forward to disclose the abuse she had suffered.
An investigation was launched by specialist safeguarding detectives resulting in suspects being arrested and charged.
Following a six-week trial which began in February of this year, six men were found guilty by jury.
Those sentenced today were:
Mohammed Shehban, 42 and from Halifax, was sentenced to 14 years in prison for two counts of rape.
Mohammed Adnan, 44 and from Halifax, was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison for one count of sexual assault.
Amazar Ali, 54 and from Halifax, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for two counts of sexual activity with a child.
Naveed Anjum, 50 and from Halifax, was sentenced to five-and-a-half years in prison for one count of sexual activity with a child.
Imran Hussain, 50 and from Halifax, was sentenced to seven years in prison for one count of attempted rape
Adal Manaf, 48 and from Halifax, was sentenced to eight years in prison for one count of rape.
Detective Chief Inspector Clair
e Smith, of Calderdale Police, said: “The survivor in this case endured dreadful sexual abuse at the hands of the six men jailed today and has showed outstanding bravery in helping us bring them before the courts.
“By reporting these offences and supporting a prosecution she has proved that the passage of time is no barrier to achieving justice.
“As her statement read to the court shows, the abuse she suffered caused her lifelong psychological distress and trauma which affected every facet of her life as she grew up.
“I hope she can take some comfort from seeing these six men jailed and knowing her courage has helped make these men answer for their crimes.
“More detail about how to make reports of non-recent child sexual exploitation and abuse and support on offer can be found on our website at https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/WhenYouAreReady .”
Bethany Raine, specialist prosecutor from the Organised Child Sexual Abuse Unit of the Crown Prosecution Service, added: “I want to recognise the victim in this case for her immense courage in coming forward and for remaining supportive of a complex investigation and lengthy legal process.
"Her determination and strength in seeing this case through has been crucial in bringing these offenders to justice.”
London paedophile who groomed children as young as 12 online given 10-year jail sentence
David Chellapah, 31, targeted children aged between 12 and 15 on social media, sent sexual messages and incited children to engage in sexual activity, the Metropolitan Police said.
The name Chellapah is of Tamil origin.
Some of his victims were coerced and pressured to produce sexual images and videos.
Officers began investigating Chellapah, of Ealing, west London, after they received intelligence that he was communicating with a child and trying to arrange a meeting to sexually abuse them.
He was arrested on October 17 last year when Met officers intercepted him as he was going to a pre-arranged meeting with a child.
Officers analysed Chellapah’s phone and other devices and identified multiple victims, Scotland Yard said.
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