Fifteen men have been sentenced to a combined 188 years in prison after being convicted of raping and sexually exploiting a vulnerable teenage girl in Bradford over a four-year period.
The survivor, who was aged between 14 and 18 when the abuse took place between 2007 and 2011, has spoken of the devastating impact the offences have had on her life, describing how her childhood was stolen and how she continues to live with the trauma nearly 20 years later.
The convictions follow a lengthy and complex investigation by West Yorkshire Police, which began after officers identified the woman as a potential victim of child sexual exploitation in 2015. Police records showed she had been the subject of numerous missing person reports as a child, prompting officers to make contact and launch a formal investigation in February 2016.
The case has involved multiple trials over the past two years, with reporting restrictions in place until now to protect the integrity of the proceedings.
Today, those restrictions were lifted, revealing the scale of the offending and the sentences handed down to the perpetrators.
Among those jailed were Yousaf Bhatti, who received 17 years for eight rapes, Anwar Aziz, who was sentenced to 15 years for 14 rapes, Faisal Rashid, who received 15 years for 10 rapes, and Omar Taj, who was jailed for 15 years for 12 rapes.
In a powerful victim impact statement, the survivor spoke of the lasting scars left by the abuse.
“The men involved have taken more away from me than I can ever describe in words,” she said.
“Looking back now, I feel sad for my 12-year-old self knowing what was to come.
“This has consumed my life for just short of 20 years. It is not something I can forget.
“My childhood has been taken away from me. The impact of what I suffered during my teens will always live with me and I will carry that every day and learn to navigate my way through life with that.”
Detective Chief Inspector Vicky Greenbank, of Bradford District Police, praised the survivor’s courage throughout the investigation and court process.
“These men horrifically abused a child for their own sexual gratification,” she said.
“What they did was abhorrent and they deserve to be in jail for a long time.”
She added: “This has been a long and complex investigation resulting in multiple trials. I hope today’s outcome will give the victim some closure and a sense of justice.”
The officer also urged other survivors of abuse to come forward, regardless of how much time has passed since the offences occurred.
“I hope these convictions give confidence to anyone who has suffered abuse, no matter how long ago, to report it. We will listen to you and ensure your report is fully investigated.”
The case represents one of the most significant child sexual exploitation prosecutions in Bradford in recent years and serves as a stark reminder that offenders can still be brought to justice, even many years after their crimes were committed.
For one survivor, however, the sentences represent more than convictions and prison terms. They mark the end of a nearly 20-year journey for justice and the beginning of a new chapter after years of unimaginable suffering.
