Nine men guilty of sex offences

NINE men have been found guilty of a range of serious sexual offences as part of an investigation into child sexual exploitation.

The offences occurred mainly in Rochdale, mostly between 2004-2008. The men have been convicted following two trials at Manchester Crown Court. The convictions, part of Operation Doublet, relate to eight victims aged 13-23 at the time of the offences.

Afraz Ahmed (33), of Oswald Street, Rochdale, was found guilty of two counts of rape, two counts of conspiracy to rape, two counts of inciting sexual activity, five counts of sexual activity with a child and one count of assault against five victims.

Choudhry Ikhalaq Hussain (38), of Mayfield Terrace, Rochdale, was found guilty of three counts of sexual activity with a child, two counts of rape and one count of conspiracy to rape against one victim.

He was convicted in his absence and is currently wanted by police. It is believed he is outside the country.

Rehan Ali (27), of Cleethorpes Avenue, Blackley, was found guilty of three counts of sexual activity with a child and one count of rape against one victim.

Kutab Miah (35), of Ramsay Street, Rochdale, was found guilty of three counts of sexual activity with a child and one count of rape against one victim.

Mohammed Dauood (38), of Leyland Road, Burnley, was found guilty of three counts of rape, one count of sexual activity with a child, one count of sexual assault and one count of assault against two victims.

Abid Khan (39), of Whitney Road, Liverpool, was found guilty of three counts of sexual activity with a child against one victim.

Mohammed Zahid (45), of Croxton Avenue, Rochdale, was found guilty of one count of sexual activity with a child against one victim.

A man who cannot be named for legal reasons was found guilty of three counts of rape and attempted child abduction against three victims.

A 46-year-old man was found guilty of two counts of conspiracy to rape against one victim.

All men bar Hussain, who remains wanted, have been remanded to appear for sentence on April 7 and 8.

A tenth man, Mahfuz Rahman (29), of HMP Garth, pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual activity with a child and was sentenced to five years and six months in prison at the beginning of trial.