THIS is the chilling moment a grooming gang rapist blames his victim’s parents telling cops “if you can’t look after your kids don’t have them”.
Five people have been sentenced to more than 80 years in prison after they were convicted of multiple child sexual exploitation offences across Denbigshire, North Wales.
The four Asian men and a British-born woman were convicted of their roles in the sexual exploitation of the girls then aged between 14 and 16.
The vulnerable girls were targeted after being spotted out walking alone at night in a seaside town, pressured into providing sexual services in exchange for cannabis and cocaine.
Mustafa Iqbal, 43, Ziaullah Badsha, 25, Mohamed Arshad, 36, and Jaswinder Singh, 65, faced 28 charges including trafficking for sexual exploitation, rape, supplying drugs and sexual assaults.
And as Badshah was quizzed by cops, he told them: “If you can’t look after your kids, don’t have them.”
Sarah Gray, 53, was was also found guilty of perverting the course of justice, assisting an offender, conspiracy to supply cocaine and cannabis, with a judge telling her she had “sold her soul” to the gang.
Caernarfon Crown Court heard how two girls – aged 14 and 15 – were spotted walking late one night in Rhyl, having smoked drugs in March 2022.
They were then spotted by Iqbal, a drug dealer and takeaway driver, who was riding an e-scooter and invited them to his home, reports Metro.
He then invited Arshad and Badshah to join them as they gave the teens drugs and alcohol and played “spin the bottle”.
The court heard sex happened in cars, residential addresses and at business premises.
Iqbal also treated a third girl, aged 16, who was a crack cocaine addict, as a “sex slave” and handcuffed her to carry out a brutal rape.
And he was nearly caught having sex with the teen at his home by his own children, the court was told.
Judge Mills told him: “You have raped two girls, one of whom you raped on multiple occasions, including the final brutal rape, during which you handcuffed her and used other significant force, as well.
“You did everything you possibly could to damage that girl. You treated her simply as a sexual object in an extremely controlling way, and you raped her, in my judgement, on many occasions.
“I have no doubt you are a dangerous offender.”
CHILLING CASE
Five people were sentenced to a combined 80 years in prison following a three-month trial at Caernarfon Crown Court.
Mustafa Iqbal, 43, of Trellewelyn Road, Rhyl, was convicted of:
- Four counts of rape
- Three counts of conspiracy to require a person to perform compulsory labour
- Three counts of sexual assault
- Three counts of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent
- Two counts of conspiracy to traffic
- Conspiracy to supply cannabis to another
- Conspiracy to supply cocaine to another
- Supplying cannabis to another
- Arranging or facilitating the travel of another person with a view to exploitation
- Breaching a slavery/trafficking risk order
Mohamed Usman Arshad, 36, of Clifton Grove, Rhyl, was convicted of:
- Three counts of rape
- Two counts of conspiracy to traffic
- Two counts of conspiracy to require a person to perform compulsory labour
- Supplying cannabis to another
Ziaullah Badshah, 25, of Brighton Road, Rhyl, was convicted of:
- Two counts of rape
- Two counts of conspiracy to traffic
- Two counts of conspiracy to require a person to perform compulsory labour
- Supplying cannabis to another
Jaswinder Singh, 61, of River Street, Rhyl, was convicted of:
- Two counts of conspiracy to traffic
- One count of supplying cannabis to another
Sarah Gray, 53, of Llanasa Road, Gronant, was convicted of:
- Perverting the course of justice
- Assisting an offender
- Conspiracy to supply cocaine to another
- Conspiracy to supply cannabis to another
It was also heard how Singh had arranged to take one of the girls to London.
He told the girl that she should pretend to his sister that she was his 22-year-old carer to avoid her concluding that he was part of an “Asian grooming gang.”
The police were contacted after a friend of the girl became concerned and the four men were arrested.
A three-month trial at Caernarfon Crown Court heard evidence of rape, sexual assault, child sexual exploitation, modern day slavery offences, drug supply, and attempts to obstruct justice.
All offences were reviewed by North Wales Police detectives as part of linked investigations named Operation Embank and Operation Zirconium, which targeted those involved in child sexual exploitation and human trafficking.
Iqbal was jailed for 30 years and given a five year extended licence period while Arshad was jailed for 19 years.
Badshah was sentenced to 17 years while Singh and Gray were jailed for eight years each.
Senior Investigating Officer, DCI Richard Sidney said: “The conclusion of this case marks an important moment for the three victims, who have had to live with the consequences of what happened to them for a considerable period of time and continue to do so.
“The sentences imposed today reflect the gravity of the group’s offending and the very serious nature of the crimes committed against these young women.
“These investigations were complex and involved extensive work to understand what had happened, gather evidence, and ensure those responsible were brought before the court.
“I recognise that the criminal justice process can be incredibly difficult for victims of sexual exploitation, particularly when they are required to revisit traumatic experiences. The courage shown by the victims throughout these investigations and the trial that followed has been remarkable.
“I hope that today’s outcome provides them with some sense of justice and allows them to look towards the future with greater confidence.”