Crime

Seven men from Rochdale grooming gang jailed for more than 170 years collectively

Behind bars where they belong.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 2nd October 2025

Seven men from the Rochdale grooming gang, including the ringleader, have all been jailed for more than 170 years collectively.

The group has been sentenced following a high-profile investigation by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) into the non-recent grooming of two vulnerable girls in Rochdale between 2001 and 2006.

They have been formally named as Mohammed Zahid, Kasir Bashir, Mushtaq Ahmed, Roheez Khan, Mohammed Shahzad, Nisar Hussain, and Naheem Akram, who are all from either Rochdale or Oldham, with the exception of one residing in Crumpsall.

A jury convicted the seven men of a total of 50 child sexual offences back in June, including several counts of rape, indecency with a child, and assault by penetration.

Most notably, the ringleader of the gang, 64-year-old Mohammed Zahid, received the largest sentence of 35 years imprisonment.

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Zahid was sentenced after being found guilty of 20 offences including rape, indecency with a child, and attempting to procure a girl into having unlawful sexual intercourse.

Investigators from GMP’s specialist Child Sexual Exploitation Major Investigations Team (CSE MIT) have led a ‘complex’ and ‘meticulous’ investigation to bring about the sentences, working with partners to ensure the victims remained at the heart throughout.

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A total of 32 offenders have now been brought to justice and jailed for a collective 474 years as part of two major investigations in the past decade into non-recent child sexual exploitation in Rochdale.

12 of the men have been convicted of 72 offences as part of Operation Lytton, and a further 20 men are due on trial – including six men on trial from 6 October.

Speaking following the sentencing this week, Detective Chief Inspector Guy Laycock, who is senior investigating officer on the case, commented: “I must start by paying tribute to the two survivors in this case, as they have been pivotal in bringing these abusers to long-awaited justice… and without them this would not be possible and today is about them.

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“These seven men preyed on vulnerability for their own depraved sexual gain.

“They had a callous disregard for these women when they were girls and continue to show no remorse for their unforgivable actions all these years later.

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“The team of dedicated investigators on this case have put thousands of hours into securing this outcome.

“Bringing child abusers to justice is why we work so tirelessly day-in day-out, and I am so pleased for the victims that we have been able to help deliver this justice for them.”

Featured Image – GMP

Crime

Stabbing at synagogue in Manchester now being treated as a terrorist incident

Danny Jones Danny Jones Stabbing at Jewish synagogue in Crumpsall, Manchester

A major incident has been declared by GMP and the North West Ambulance Service following a vehicular attack and subsequent stabbing at a synagogue in central Manchester, with UK police now treating the tragedy as terrorism.

At least five were said to have been initially injured during the attack, which took place in Crumpsall just outside the city limits on Thursday morning, with Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham offering “some assurance that the immediate danger appears to be over.”

The stabbing itself occurred at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue around 9:30am as local members of the Jewish community were celebrating Yom Kippur – the holiest day in the religion’s annual calendar.

It has since been revealed that the suspect was shot dead by police officers, and two people have sadly passed away as a result of their wounds. A bomb disposal has also been called to the scene after ‘suspicious items’ were found in the vicinity.

Updating the public online, Greater Manchester Police said: “Police were called to the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, on Middleton Road, Crumpsall, at 9.31am by a member of the public, stating he had witnessed a car being driven towards members of the public, & 1 man had been stabbed.

“GMP declared PLATO and a major incident at 9.37am. Shots were fired by Greater Manchester Police firearms officers at 9.38am. One man has been shot, believed to be the offender.”

Operation Plato is a set of measures carried out by the emergency services in response to large-scale incidents in the UK, including cases of suspected.

The statement goes on: “Paramedics arrived at the scene at 9.41am and are tending to members of the public, currently four members of the public with injuries caused by both the vehicle and stab wound”

“Members of the public are asked to avoid the area while the police continue to deal with the incident.”

A government COBR meeting has now been called in London later this afternoon, with footage of local police apprehending the perpetrator behind the car and knife attack at the busy Manchester synagogue also leaking on social media.

Meanwhile, Prime Keir Starmer is now said to be flying back to the UK from Copenhagen (where he was attending the 2025 European Political Community summit) immediately after having been briefed.

Despite insisting that the “serious situation” was dealt with quickly and “effectively”, Mayor Burnham has also urged people to avoid the area for the time being.

As well as the two confirmed deaths, three other members of the public are said to be in a critical condition following the deeply troubling attack. In addition to the takedown of the assailant, a further two arrests have been made.

Council Leader Bev Craig has now spoken publicly on behalf of the city of Manchester, writing: “We are all horrified by this shocking and reprehensible attack on members of Manchester’s Jewish community, on their holiest day.

“Our thoughts are with those who have been killed and seriously injured, their loved ones and with everyone who has been affected by this awful incident. We have been supporting our local community throughout the morning and offer our full support and love.”

“We will be working GMP, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, and our local communities in the hours ahead to offer support and reassurance. Manchester stands with our Jewish community at this darkest of moments, and will come together as a city.”

Royal Family members have now also issued an official statement offering support and condolences, as well as thanking the emergency services for their swift action.

The identities of both the culprit and the victims are now said to be known, but details have not been disclosed at this time due to ongoing security reasons

Local authorities are now reportedly working with counterterror teams to search nearby houses in the error, and extra police have been dispatched to provide added security at other synagogues around the wider region.

A GMP spokesperson has gone on to add: “We know today’s horrifying attack, on the Jewish community’s holiest day, will have caused significant shock and fear throughout all of our communities.

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“We’re grateful to the member of the public whose quick response to what they witnessed allowed our swift action, and as a result, the offender was prevented from entering the synagogue. We remain in direct contact with all synagogues across Greater Manchester to provide reassurance, and this will continue for as long as needed.

“We will continue to provide updates as we can, but I would ask anyone who believes they may have a loved one involved in today’s incident, [to] please use the Casualty Bureau information in the first instance.

“I would further ask anyone who may have images or footage relating to today’s incident, [to refrain] from circulating them on social media – please do share directly with GMP.”

A live police update via BBC News described the attack in Manchester as nothing short of “devastating” and one that leaves a dark mark on what would otherwise have been an important and happy day for Jewish people across the country.

Counter-terrorism Policing Assistant Commissioner, Laurence Taylor, told the British public that relevant authorities are mobilising nationwide “and fast” as the investigation progresses.

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He also went on to ask civilians to remain vigilant and “be alert to what is happening in your own communities.”

Our thoughts go out to all those affected at this difficult time.

This is a breaking news story. More info to follow…

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Featured Images — David Dixon (via Geograph)/GMP

Crime

Man arrested at Manchester Airport after fleeing country during child sex offences trial

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

A man has been arrested at Manchester Airport after he previously fled the country while he was on trial for child sexual offences.

Hassan Mahmood, of Gigg Lane in Bury, had been found guilty on four counts of child sexual offences in August – including engaging in sexual communication with a child, and even engaging in ‘penetrative sexual activity’ with a child.

But the 23-year-old fled the country on the second day of the trial.

The trial then continued in his absence, despite the fleeing, and he was subsequently sentenced to five-and-a-half years in prison.

Now though, following his arrest at Manchester Airport as he returned to country this week, Mahmood is now awaiting sentencing for the fleeing, and is due to appear at court to begin the formalities of receiving his sentence.

Mahmood’s original conviction and sentencing came following an extensive investigation carried out by the Bury Complex Safeguarding Team.

He was described as being ‘cowardly’ by GMP investigating officers.

“Mahmood cowardly left the country to evade punishment for his vile crimes, and I am glad he will now be behind bars where he belongs,” commented Detective Constable Shaheen Saleh, from GMP’s Child Criminal Exploitation Team.

“We are committed to locking up those responsible for child sexual offences, and we will always ensure that they are brought to justice, no matter where they try to hide.

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“We remain in contact with the victim of this case and have been supporting her throughout the process.”

Further details of Mahmood’s sentencing are set to be announced in due course.

Featured Image – GMP

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