Rotherham Rapist Locked Up for 5 Years Over Attack Two Decades Ago
Waleed Ali Guilty After Swift Trial
A man has been jailed for five years after being found guilty of raping a girl in Rotherham more than 20 years ago. Waleed Ali, 42, from Scunthorpe, was convicted within hours at Sheffield Crown Court on Friday, 13 September, following a National Crime Agency (NCA) investigation.
Operation Stovewood Uncovers Historic Abuse
The NCA’s Operation Stovewood, the largest probe into historic sexual abuse in Rotherham, launched its investigation after identifying a woman who said she was abused as a child. The victim, who was just 14 at the time, came forward to specially-trained officers and gave details of the attack, which she had never reported before.
Back in 2003 or 2004, Ali, then in his early 20s, spotted the girl sitting alone at a water fountain in Rotherham town centre. He approached her with a group of men and tried to lure her into a nearby alleyway. When she refused, he grabbed her arm and forced her inside. Isolated from the public, Ali raped her.
Previous Convictions and Police Appeal
Ali denied the charges during his arrest in September 2021, claiming he felt “sick” at the questioning. But he had a dark history: Ali was already convicted in 2003 for raping and indecently assaulting a 13-year-old girl in the same alleyway.
Senior investigating officer Stuart Cobb said: “For 21 years the victim suffered in silence, but her brave testimony combined with our investigative work has ensured her attacker faced justice.”
“I urge anyone who is a victim of child sexual abuse, no matter how long ago it happened, to seek support and report it to the police, who have specially trained officers ready to help.”
How to Get Help and Ongoing Investigations
- Victims of child sexual abuse can report crimes by calling police on 101 or visiting a station in person.
- Operation Stovewood remains the UK’s biggest investigation into historic abuse in Rotherham, covering the period 1997–2013.
- So far, NCA officers have identified over 1,100 victims and secured 37 convictions, with more than 50 investigations still active.
This case is a stark reminder that justice for historic abuse can still be served.
