Operation Stovewood: Seven men jailed for a total of 106 years for sexually abusing two young girls in Rotherham

Seven men have been jailed for committing child sex abuse offences against two young girls in Rotherham during the 2000s.

The Crown Prosecution Service prosecuted Mohammed Amar, 42, Mohammed Siyab, 44, Yasser Ajaibe, 39, Mohammed Zameer Sadiq, 49, Abid Saddiq, 43, Tahir Yassin, 38, and Ramin Bari, 37, following an investigation by the National Crime Agency as part of Operation Stovewood.

Operation Stovewood is a major investigation into child sexual abuse and exploitation which took place in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, between 1997 and 2013.

The two victims in this case were aged just 11 and 15 when the offending began, and both spent time in the care system during the offending period. 

The seven defendants were sentenced to a combined total of 106 years' imprisonment after being found guilty following a trial in Sheffield Crown Court of child sex abuse offences committed between April 2003 and April 2008.

Zoe Becker, for the CPS, said: “These seven men deliberately preyed on two young girls they knew were vulnerable and, using drugs and alcohol, exploited them for their own sexual gratification.

“The cruelty and abuse the victims suffered at the hands of these defendants was horrific and has continued to have a lasting impact on their lives today.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank both the victims for coming forward and giving evidence. This has been a complex and challenging case, and it is because of their courage and fortitude that we have been able to bring these offenders to justice.

“I hope these convictions send a clear message that the CPS, working closely alongside law enforcement, will relentlessly pursue justice and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, whenever that abuse took place.

“All children have the right to feel safe and protected. I encourage anyone who has been in a similar position to come forward to report these incidents to the police. It is never too late to seek justice - you are not alone and there is help available.”

The girls were abused by the defendants, with Amar, Ajaibe, Sadiq and Sayib abusing one victim, and Yassin and Bari abusing the other. Saddiq abused both girls.

The defendants regularly picked up the victims in their cars and gave them cigarettes, alcohol, cannabis and money. The girls would then be assaulted, forced to perform sexual acts or raped.

When presented with the large amount of evidence compiled by the prosecution, the jury found the defendants guilty.

The victims involved were able to give their best evidence for this case using special measures. This allowed one of the victims to have their cross-examination video-recorded before the full trial, away from the court room and the defendants.

To deal with some of the more complex and challenging child sexual abuse cases like this, the CPS has a dedicated Organised Child Sexual Abuse Unit to build and conduct strong cases, increase the amount of successful prosecutions and share specialist understanding nationally.

NCA Senior Investigating Officer Stuart Cobb said: “These men were cruel and manipulative, grooming their victims and then exploiting them by subjecting them to the most harrowing abuse possible. They were responsible for some of the worst offending we have investigated under Operation Stovewood.

“I can only once again pay tribute to the victims who were brave enough to come forward, tell their stories and confront their abusers. What happened to them can never be undone, but I hope the sentences handed down here will at least give them a sense that their abusers have been held to account and justice has been done.

“We and our partners will continue to do all we can to support them going forward.”

One of the defendants, Saddiq, was already serving a 20-year prison sentence having been convicted in 2019 of sexual offences under a separate sub-operation investigated under Operation Stovewood.