Sheffield Man Jailed for Grooming and Raping Two Girls in Rotherham
A Sheffield man has been found guilty of grooming and raping two girls in Rotherham during the early 2000s. Obaidullah Omari, 46, targeted his victims—both aged between 13 and 14—between 2003 and 2004. His crimes were uncovered following a National Crime Agency (NCA) investigation under Operation Stovewood, the UK’s largest probe into child sexual abuse in Rotherham from 1997 to 2013.
Drugs, Alcohol and Horrific Abuse
At Sheffield Crown Court, it emerged that Omari, then in his 20s, supplied the teenage girls with alcohol and drugs to facilitate his abuse. The jury heard how he repeatedly raped one victim at his home in Eastwood and inside his car. He was also convicted of raping the second victim once.
Survivors Speak Out After Two Decades
The victims bravely came forward over 20 years later, providing vital statements to the NCA. This led to Omari’s arrest in 2019 and a two-week trial where he was found guilty of:
- Three counts of rape
- Two counts of indecent assault
Omari is set to be sentenced on Thursday, 4 September, at Sheffield Crown Court.
NCA Praises Victims’ Bravery
NCA senior investigating officer Alan Hastings hailed the courage shown by the survivors. He said:
“I pay tribute to the bravery of these two women – what they have been through is unimaginable, yet they were still able to tell us their stories and give evidence. Without that we would not have been able to get these convictions. Working with partners across Rotherham and South Yorkshire, Operation Stovewood continues to support victims and pursue perpetrators.”
Operation Stovewood: The UK’s Biggest Child Abuse Probe
Operation Stovewood remains the largest investigation of its kind in the UK, examining child sexual abuse in Rotherham between 1997 and 2013. So far, 48 offenders, including Omari, have been convicted.
