Seven men who groomed vulnerable girls in Rochdale have been brought to long-awaited justice after a dedicated GMP investigation into non-recent abuse was bravely supported by two survivors of child sexual exploitation (CSE) who were ‘abused, degraded, and discarded’.
The men were today (Friday 13 June 2025) convicted at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court of a total of 50 offences that occurred between 2001 and 2006. They are the latest convictions as part of Operation Lytton – an investigation by our specialist Major Investigations Team into non-recent CSE in Rochdale which has been supported by the multi-agency complex safeguarding team, Sunrise, alongside Rochdale Borough Council.
It follows a four-month long trial where defendants denied responsibility for their despicable crimes. In the face of this both victims bravely gave compelling evidence in front of those men who subjected them to such horrific abuse when they were children.
The jury heard how the men preyed on the vulnerabilities of the women – who were as young as 13 at the start of the abuse. Some of the men groomed the victims when they worked at an old market stall in the town which was run by Mohammed Zahid (64), who was nicknamed ‘Bossman’. Taxi drivers in Rochdale would also be introduced to the girls for sexual exploitation.
Over years of offending, the men made the victims their ‘sex slaves’ and expected them to have sex wherever, whenever. The men would groom the victims and abuse them on the Moors, the market, shops, houses and warehouses.
A comprehensive prosecution case was put together by GMP and the Crown Prosecution Service’s Organised Child Sexual Abuse Unit to present the best evidence and to give the jury an informed understanding of what CSE is and its devastating impact.
Officers and specialist support services have continued to provide support to the survivors throughout this painstaking investigation. This has seen investigators work closely and sensitively with the victims from the start of our investigation in September 2015 to build their trust in the police after they were let down by authorities at the time of the abuse.
We have aimed to work at a pace that has suited the survivors to piece together all the evidence to identify offenders, locate where abuse took place, and recount the traumatic abuse they faced.
All seven men denied any wrongdoing. A jury unanimously found the following guilty:
- Mohammed Zahid, 64, of Station Road, Crumpsall, Manchester, guilty of 20 offences including rape, indecency with a child, and attempting to procure a girl into having unlawful sexual intercourse.
- Kasir Bashir, 50, of Napier Street East, Oldham, guilty of four offences including rape and indecency with a child.
- Mushtaq Ahmed, 67, of Corona Avenue, Oldham, guilty of nine offences including rape and indecency with a child.
- Roheez Khan, 39, of Athole Street, Rochdale, guilty of one offence of rape.
- Mohammed Shahzad, 44, of Beswicke Royds Street, Rochdale, guilty of six offences including rape and assault by penetration.
- Nisar Hussain, 41, of Newfield Close, Rochdale, guilty of three offences including rape and assault by penetration.
- Naheem Akram, 48, of Manley Road, Rochdale, guilty of seven offences including rape and assault by penetration.
A total of 32 offenders have now been brought to justice and jailed so far for 300 years as part of two major investigations in the past decade into non-recent CSE in Rochdale. Twelve of the men have been convicted as part of Op Lytton. A further 20 men are due on trial with the next date set for September 2025.
This investigation is one of many significant and complex cases in our dedicated Child Sexual Exploitation Major Investigations Team which was formed in 2021. Almost 100 investigators work closely with partners and support services to listen to survivors and pursue offenders.
Detective Chief Inspector Guy Laycock is the senior investigating officer on the case. He said: “I must start by paying tribute to the two survivors in this case. They have been pivotal in bringing these abusers to long-awaited justice by bravely giving painful and difficult testimony during a four-month trial. Without them this would not be possible and today is about them.
“These seven men preyed on vulnerability for their own depraved sexual gain. The men abused, degraded and then discarded the victims when they were just children. This horrific abuse knew no limits, despite their denials throughout this lengthy investigation and court case. They had a callous disregard for these women when they were girls, and continue to show no remorse for their unforgivable actions all these years later.
“The team of dedicated investigators on this case have put thousands of hours into securing this outcome. They’ve supported the victims throughout to piece together all the evidence. Bringing child abusers to justice is why we work so tirelessly day-in day-out, and I am so pleased for the victims that we have been able to help deliver this justice for them.”
Assistant Chief Constable Steph Parker is GMP’s lead for protecting vulnerable people. She said: “The survivors in this case are two women who were horrendously abused by this group of men. This unthinkable abuse was compounded by failings from authorities who let them down when they needed protecting the most. They were vulnerable children who experienced the worst trauma possible, and this will remain a matter of profound regret.
“I commend the faith the victims have shown in the GMP of today to support this long and complex investigation. We have excellent officers and staff who represent our determination to protect survivors and pursue offenders, through traditional detective work and our modern victim-centred approach. This is painstaking work that is bringing child abusers to justice.
“I know that our past failings have meant there are people who doubt the police’s commitment today to putting grooming gangs behind bars where they belong. Let me be clear: time is no barrier to justice, and we are actively working with dozens of survivors on numerous investigations to ensure no offender gets away with this. When you are ready, we will listen.
“Our dedicated Child Sexual Exploitation Major Investigations Team has almost 100 investigators working every day to listen to victims and to bring cases to court. Every town, city, and borough in GM has a dedicated multi-agency safeguarding team that shares information and investigates all reports to protect children from harm. We’re lightyears ahead of where we were, and we are totally focussed on listening to survivors and continuing to further improve on our best practices which are now well-embedded.”
Liz Fell, Specialist Prosecutor for the CPS’ Organised Child Sexual Abuse Unit, said:“These men targeted children, preyed upon their vulnerabilities and groomed them for their own sexual gratification.
“The treatment of the victims at the hands of these predators was nothing short of appalling. They were vulnerable children cruelly passed around for sex; abused, degraded and then discarded.
“I want to pay tribute to the victims in this case for their courage in coming forward and giving evidence against these seven defendants. I hope they can find some comfort in knowing that it is because of their bravery and fortitude that we have been able to bring these offenders to justice.
“This case has been incredibly complex and challenging, but thanks to the close collaboration with Greater Manchester Police, we were able to build a compelling case to present to the court. The jury saw through the defendants and delivered the justice these victims deserve.
“These convictions send a very clear message that the CPS, working alongside law enforcement colleagues, will relentlessly pursue justice for victims and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, whenever that abuse took place.”
