Child-sex four given 42 years

FOUR Asian men - one from Oldham - who were involved in the sexual exploitation of vulnerable underage girls have been given prison sentences totalling 42 years.

The four were all involved in sex offences against one of two young teenage victims almost ten years ago, and two of them also sexually abused another girl of similar age.

Shahaib Shabbir (29) refused to admit any wrongdoing but was convicted by a jury of rape and two counts of sexual activity with a child, after a trial at Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court.

Shabbir, of Schofield Street, Oldham who at the time of the offences was working as a radio operator with a taxi company in Heywood was sent down for seven years.

Judge Stuart Driver told the four they had all groomed and corrupted the first girl who was just 14 when some of the abuse took place.

She had had a troubled upbringing and had been in care in Scotland from the age of three, being moved to Rochdale at the age of 12, where it was thought she would be safe - perhaps "out of the frying pan into the fire" said the judge.

Both victims saw and heard the proceedings - one sitting in court, and one by video link.

The first victim said in a statement: "These men made my life miserable. They made it miserable when I was living in the Manchester area, and it's continued to be miserable now. For ten years they have made my life miserable."

Gul Zaman (44) who pleaded guilty to raping the first girl when she was 14 or 15, and paying for the sexual services of the second teenager on at least 40 occasions, was given a 15-year extended sentence.

Zaman of no fixed address was told he was being classed as a dangerous offender and he will have to serve at least seven years behind bars before even being considered for parole.

Mohammed Ishaque (56) of Milnrow Road, Rochdale, was sentenced to 11 years.

The court heard he effectively ran rudimentary brothels from his homes and had a number of young females working for him as prostitutes.

On one occasion he caused the first girl to have sex with a number of men at his house when she was 15 or 16.

He had pleaded guilty to four counts of causing child prostitution - one involving the girl, and three involving the second victim, plus further offences of paying for the sexual services of a child and rape against the second girl.

Irshad Wani (35) of Whitworth Road, Rochdale who was convicted by a trial jury of four counts of sexual activity with a child, was sent down for nine years.

He took the first girl to house parties where she was given alcohol and drugs by older men.

He went on to have a full sexual relationship with her.