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.
“My voice matters because I was believed.”
Two survivors of child sexual exploitation have received long-awaited justice after a GMP investigation led to 7 men jailed for 174 years.
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.
“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
Man pleads guilty to ‘preparing for acts of terrorism’ in relation to Manchester synagogue attack
Emily Sergeant
A man with links to the Manchester synagogue terrorist attacker has pleaded guilty to preparation for acts of terrorism.
Mohammad Asim Bashir, of Shaftesbury Road in Cheetham Hill, appeared at the Central Criminal Court last week (Friday 5 June 2026) and pleaded guilty to one count of preparation for acts of terrorism under the Terrorism Act 2006.
The prosecution will consider the basis of the guilty plea, and now a two-day sentencing hearing has been set for 22-23 July 2026 at Manchester Crown Court.
In case you need a reminder, the shocking knife and car attack took place on 2 October 2025 on Yom Kippur – the holiest day in the Jewish calendar – at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue.
During the incident, two men sadly lost their lives during the attack – Adrian Daulby, 53, who was shot dead by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) while trying to stop the attacker from entering the synagogue, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, a worshipper who also helped stop the attacker.
A man with links to the Manchester synagogue terrorist attacker has pleaded guilty to preparation for acts of terrorism / Credit: Google Maps | GMP
The attacker was named as 35-year-old Jihad al Shamie – a 35-year-old British citizen of Syrian descent who lived in Prestwich – who at the time was on bail for an alleged rape, before being shot dead by police.
Following the terrorist attack, enquiries conducted by detectives identified Bashir as an associate of Jihad Al-Shamie, and established that the two of them had conducted ;hostile reconnaissance of a UK defence facility’ on 14 August 2025.
The pair were seen on CCTV prior to the trip discussing criteria for potential targets to attack.
They were then seen on ANPR cameras making the journey to the site – with Bashir acting as the driver for most of the journey.
He is due to be sentenced next month / Credit: GMP
Speaking following Bashir’s guilty plea, Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts – who holds operational responsibility for Counter Terrorism Policing North West – commented: “Our comprehensive enquiries led to the offending of Mohammed Bashir coming to light.
“Although not directly linked to the synagogue attack, the fact he conducted hostile reconnaissance alongside a man who would later commit a terrorist attack show the seriousness of his actions.
“We welcome today’s guilty plea and look ahead to the sentencing which is due to take place in July.
“This case will understandably prompt public commentary about the terrorist attack that took place last October. My thoughts today are with all those affected, particularly the loved ones of those whose lives were taken and those who were seriously injured.”
Featured Image – GMP
Crime
Oldham man jailed for life after strangling another man he had a ‘complex’ relationship with
Emily Sergeant
A man has been sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to the strangulation murder of another man in Oldham late last year.
David Warren Jack, of Plumpton Close in the Royton area of Oldham, appeared in Manchester Crown Court on Monday (1 June), where he pleaded guilty to the murder of Paul Anderson, 55, in December last year.
The sentencing relates to an incident that occurred at around 7.50pm on 6 December 2025, where Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officers attended an address on Plumpton Close after receiving reports of an altercation, and when they arrived on the scene, Paul was sadly pronounced dead.
Around an hour earlier, Jack had called a friend to tell them that he had ‘killed somebody’, explaining that he had strangled Paul during a fight.
Shortly after calling his friend, Jack then proceeded to ring 999, with police immediately attending the scene, along with paramedics and other emergency services – but despite their best efforts, they were unable to save Paul’s life.
The cause of death was later ascertained as being caused by strangulation.
Following his death, Paul’s family paid tribute to him, saying: “Rest in peace Paul – a precious dad, son, brother, uncle, nephew, and friend who was so loved. He was a gentleman with a big heart and an incredible sense of humour. Our hearts will be forever broken”.
Following his guilty plea at the start of the week, Jack was yesterday (2 June) subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 26 years and six months.
Speaking following the sentencing, Senior Investigating Officer Duncan Thorpe said: “David Jack and Paul Anderson had a complex relationship and had clashed before – sadly, this time, there were fatal consequences.
“Immediately following the call we received that night in December, we launched a full and comprehensive investigation into the circumstances of Paul’s death, securing an arrest and ensuring we left no stone unturned in our search for the truth.
“Paul was well-loved by his family, and I am glad that we have secured justice for them. Our thoughts remain with them following this awful case.”
Emily Sergeant -
2nd October 2025 
