Two men locked up for abusing teenage girls in Calderdale
Historic Abuse Shocker Rocks West Yorkshire
Two men have been handed prison sentences for sexually abusing girls in Calderdale, West Yorkshire. This latest conviction brings the total number of men jailed in four linked investigations to a staggering 24. Police were mum on details until now, thanks to legal reporting restrictions – but those barriers have finally been lifted.
The abuse dates back to between 2006 and 2009. The victims were just 13 to 16 years old. The cases emerged from a 2016 probe into child sexual exploitation involving two teenage girls.
Prison Time: Jail Terms Revealed
Mahtab Islam, 51, from Halifax, got the book thrown at him. He was convicted of:
- Five counts of rape
- Two counts of sexual assault
- Perverting the course of justice
Initially sentenced to 16 years, Islam’s sentence was upped to 18 following a Crown Prosecution Service appeal.
Arfan Mir, aka Khalifa Mughal, 42, also of Halifax, was found guilty of:
- One count of rape
- Supplying a Class A drug
- Perverting the course of justice
He was originally handed 12 years but had this reduced to 10 after an appeal.
Police Crack Down on Child Sex Exploitation
West Yorkshire Police have been doggedly pursuing this long-running investigation into historic child sexual exploitation across Calderdale. Detective Superintendent Sarah Jones, who led the operation, condemned the offenders:
“These men manipulated and exploited vulnerable teenage girls for their own sexual gratification. Their actions have caused lifelong trauma, and I commend the bravery of the survivors who came forward and supported this complex investigation.”
“We are committed to pursuing justice in all cases of child abuse, no matter how long ago the offences occurred. These convictions demonstrate that perpetrators will be held to account.”
The Fight Continues: More Offenders to Face Justice
This case is just one part of a wider crackdown that has already seen 24 men jailed for abusing young girls in Calderdale. West Yorkshire Police stress they are continuing to work closely with victims, safeguarding groups, and the Crown Prosecution Service to bring more offenders to justice.
Anyone affected by child sexual exploitation or with concerns can reach out to the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000 or West Yorkshire Police on 101.
