Seven men have been found guilty of using two teenage girls as 'sex slaves' in Rochdale after a trial at Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester. The court heard evidence related to 53 sexual offenses believed to have occurred between 2001 and 2006 over a period of 72 days.

One of the victims, now in her 30s, testified that she was labeled a 'prostitute' by social services in Rochdale when the allegations against the men first emerged. The trial revealed that both victims were groomed from the age of 13 and forced to engage in sexual activities with the men in various locations, including rancid mattresses, car parks, and alleyways.

The victims were provided with drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes by the perpetrators and were introduced to taxi drivers for sexual exploitation. The seven men found guilty include:

• Father-of-three Mohammed Zahid, 64
• Kasir Bashir, 50
• Mushtaq Ahmed, 67
• Roheez Khan, 39
• Mohammed Shahzad, 44
• Nisar Hussain, 41
• Naheem Akram, 48

Zahid, also known as Boss Man, enticed the victims with free lingerie from his market stall in exchange for money, food, and sexual favors with him and his associates.

The trial, lasting approximately four months, concluded with the jurors delivering unanimous guilty verdicts. A total of 32 offenders have been sentenced to a combined 300 years as a result of two major investigations over the past decade. An additional 20 men are scheduled for trial in September 2025.

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Guy Laycock commended the survivors for their bravery in providing crucial testimony during the trial. He emphasized that the men exploited vulnerability for their own perverse satisfaction and showed no remorse for their actions.