Sentences Totalling More Than 100 Years Handed Down In Rotherham Child Sexual Exploitation Trial

Five people have been jailed for a combined total of 102 years for the sexual exploitation of 15 young girls in Rotherham.

At Sheffield Crown Court today (Friday 26 February) Arshid Hussain, 40 of East Cowick, Goole, was jailed for 35 years. Arshid Hussain was found guilty of over 20 offences including multiple counts of indecent assault and rape, assault, procuring a girl under 21 to have unlawful sexual intercourse with another, abduction of a girl and procuring a woman under 21 to become a common prostitute. Three of the charges against him were joint charges with other defendants. 

Basharat Hussain, 38, of no fixed address, was jailed for 25 years. Basharat Hussain, was found guilty of 15 offences. They were: five counts of indecent assault, three counts of indecency with a child, rape, two counts of assault, false imprisonment, threats to kill, procuring a girl under 21 to have unlawful sexual intercourse with another and procuring a woman under 21 to become a common prostitute. Two of these charges were joint charges with other defendants. 

Bannaras Hussain, 36, from Goole, was jailed for 19 years after entering guilty pleas to multiple sexual offences at an earlier hearing.

Also sentenced was Karen MacGregor, 59, of Barnsley Road, Wath, who was jailed for 13 years. Karen MacGregor, was found guilty of all charges against her – two counts of conspiracy to rape (one of which was a joint charge), false imprisonment (a joint charge) and conspiracy to procure a woman under 21 to become a common prostitute (a joint charge).   

Shelley Davies, 40, of Wainwright Road, Rotherham, was given an 18 month sentence, suspended for two years. Shelley Davies, was found guilty of two charges – conspiracy to procure a woman under 21 to become a common prostitute and false imprisonment. Both were joint charges with MacGregor.    

Qurban Ali, 53, of Clough Road, Rotherham, was jailed for 10 years. Qurban Ali, was found guilty of conspiracy to rape, a joint charge with MacGregor and Arshid Hussain. He was found not guilty of rape, indecent assault and procuring a girl under 21 to have unlawful sexual intercourse with another. 

This follows an 11-week trial that began in early December 2015 and recalled over a decade of sexual abuse against young girls in Rotherham.

Speaking after the verdict earlier this week, Temporary Detective Chief Inspector Martin Tate said:

 “This lengthy trial marks the culmination of a two-year investigation by South Yorkshire Police, the Crown Prosecution Service and Rotherham Council into the systematic and organised sexual abuse of young girls in Rotherham.

“Even more importantly, the verdict today marks a crucial milestone for those victims and survivors who endured years of violent and horrific sexual abuse at the hands of these vile individuals.

“They have shown incredible bravery, reliving vicious and horrific events for the courts that, for many of these young women, completely shattered their lives and caused life changing damage. I can’t begin to put into words the trauma that these women experienced at such a young age.

“For their courage and for their support of this investigation, I am eternally thankful and I can’t really express how pleased I am for them. I’m extremely pleased that their voices have finally been heard, believed and that those responsible have been publicly held to account for their crimes.

“The criminal investigation team has had incredible support from the Vulnerable Victims Project and voluntary agencies, such as GROW and Sheffield YWCA. They employ fantastic people who are extremely passionate about supporting victims and I can’t thank them enough.

“I also want to recognise our team of prosecution barristers who have guided our victims through this process and done an outstanding job of prosecuting this case at court.

“We accept there is still much to do. I have an extremely dedicated and passionate team and we will regroup tomorrow with the same enthusiasm for the next stage of the investigation.

“I can only hope that other victims out there see the result today and the work of the agencies involved throughout this investigation to bring this case before the courts.

“I hope this gives them the confidence to come forward and tell someone what happened or may still be happening to them.

“If victims of sexual abuse come to the police we will help them, support them and do everything we can to put the criminals responsible in prison where they belong. Thank you.”