Five Men Jailed for Horrific Abuse of Two Girls in Rochdale
Five offenders have been locked up for a combined 71 years after sexually abusing two girls in Rochdale between 2002 and 2006. The long-running investigation finally ended on Tuesday 31 October 2023 with lengthy prison sentences handed down.
Sentences Delivered
- Jahn Shahid Ghani (born 30/03/1973) – 20 years for six counts of sexual assault and one count of causing a child to engage in sexual activity.
- Mohammed Ghani (born 23/09/1984) – 14 years for five counts of sexual assault.
- Insar Hussain (born 23/03/1985) – 17 years for one count of rape and two counts of sexual assault.
- Ali Razza Hussain Kazmi (born 26/08/1987) – 8 years for one count of rape and two counts of sexual intercourse with a child.
- Martin Rhodes (born 16/02/1984) – 12 years and six months for four counts of sexual assault.
Investigation Praised for Survivor Support and Teamwork
Detective Chief Inspector Guy Laycock, lead investigator, praised the courage of the survivors. He said,
“First and foremost, I want to put on record my thanks to the survivors. Throughout our investigation and this trial, they have put their trust in my team and have demonstrated extraordinary resilience in the face of their traumatic experiences at the hands of these abhorrent offenders. GMP and specialist support services will continue to support them for as long as they need.
DCI Laycock highlighted the crucial collaboration between Greater Manchester Police, Rochdale Council, and the Crown Prosecution Service. This teamwork built a strong case, leading to the convictions and ensuring these men will be prevented from causing further harm.
Officials Condemn Abuse and Urge Others to Speak Out
Sharon Hubber, Director of Children’s Services at Rochdale Borough Council, condemned the crimes and praised the victims’ bravery:
“No amount of time in prison can replace the years that these abusers have stolen from their victims and we again pay tribute to the courage they have shown in bringing these men to justice for their appalling crimes.”
Frances Killeen, Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West, said:
“The men who committed these appalling offences, have finally been brought to justice. They all showed a total disregard for the effect their abuse would have on their victims. I hope this conviction will give confidence to other survivors of sexual abuse to come forward. It’s never too late to seek justice.”
