Seven men, part of a Rochdale Grooming Gang, British Pakistanis, who exploited vulnerable girls in Rochdale, have finally faced justice following a thorough investigation by GMP into historical abuse, supported courageously by two survivors of child sexual exploitation who were ‘abused, degraded, and discarded.’
Today, Friday, June 13, 2025, the men were convicted at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court of a total of 50 offences committed between 2001 and 2006. Their convictions are the most recent outcomes of Operation Lytton, an inquiry conducted by our specialised Major Investigations Team into historical child sexual exploitation in Rochdale, supported by the multi-agency complex safeguarding team, Sunrise, and Rochdale Borough Council.
The trial lasted four months, during which the defendants refuted accountability for their reprehensible actions. Despite the circumstances, both victims courageously provided convincing testimony before the individuals who perpetrated such egregious abuse against them during their childhoods.
The jury was informed of how the men exploited the weaknesses of the victims, some of whom were as young as 13 at the onset of the abuse. Several guys exploited the victims while employed at an antiquated market stand operated by Mohammed Zahid (64), known as ‘Bossman.’ Taxi drivers in Rochdale will also be introduced to the girls for the purpose of sexual exploitation.
Over the years of their criminal activities, the guys subjected the victims to sexual servitude, demanding sexual acts at any time and place. The perpetrators would prepare the victims and exploit them in the Moors, market, businesses, residences, and warehouses.
The GMP and the Crown Prosecution Service’s Organised Child Sexual Abuse Unit constructed a thorough prosecution case to provide the jury with the most compelling evidence and a clear comprehension of child sexual exploitation and its catastrophic effects.
Officers and specialist support services have continued to provide support to the survivors throughout this painstaking investigation. This has seen investigators work closely and sensitively with the victims from the start of our investigation in September 2015 to build their trust in the police after they were let down by authorities at the time of the abuse.
We have aimed to work at a pace that has suited the survivors to piece together all the evidence to identify offenders, locate where abuse took place, and recount the traumatic abuse they faced.
All seven men denied any wrongdoing. A jury unanimously found the following guilty:
- Mohammed Zahid, 64, of Station Road, Crumpsall, Manchester, guilty of 20 offences including rape, indecency with a child, and attempting to procure a girl into having unlawful sexual intercourse.
- Kasir Bashir, 50, of Napier Street East, Oldham, guilty of four offences including rape and indecency with a child.
- Mushtaq Ahmed, 67, of Corona Avenue, Oldham, guilty of nine offences including rape and indecency with a child.
- Roheez Khan, 39, of Athole Street, Rochdale, guilty of one offence of rape.
- Mohammed Shahzad, 44, of Beswicke Royds Street, Rochdale, guilty of six offences including rape and assault by penetration.
- Nisar Hussain, 41, of Newfield Close, Rochdale, guilty of three offences including rape and assault by penetration.
- Naheem Akram, 48, of Manley Road, Rochdale, guilty of seven offences including rape and assault by penetration.
UPDATE 02.10.25
Seven men have received prison sentences aggregating 174 years following a GMP investigation into the historical grooming of two vulnerable girls in Rochdale.
Following a jury’s conviction in June for 50 child sexual assaults, the offenders have encountered long-awaited justice for their transgressions, as both victims valiantly provided testimony in court and sustained their support for our thorough investigation.
The inquiry into their maltreatment encompasses a period of offences occurring from 2001 to 2006.
Investigators from our specialised Child Sexual Exploitation Major Investigations Team (CSE MIT) conducted a thorough and intricate investigation, collaborating with partners to prioritise the victims’ welfare.
This is the most recent result of our dedication to guarantee that all victims who trust the current GMP receive the justice they seek, and that no perpetrator evades the repercussions of their egregious crimes.
On 1 October 2025, at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court, the men received the following sentences:
Mohammed Zahid, 64, of Station Road, Crumpsall, Manchester, was sentenced to 35 years after being found guilty of 20 offences including rape, indecency with a child, and attempting to procure a girl into having unlawful sexual intercourse.
Kasir Bashir, 50, of Napier Street East, Oldham, was sentenced to 29 years in his absence after being found guilty of four offences including rape and indecency with a child. Bashir failed to appear for the first day of trial despite attending bail every week up to, and including, the week before trial. His passport was surrendered as part of the bail conditions imposed by the court. Enquiries continue to try and locate him and ensure justice is served.
Mushtaq Ahmed, 67, of Corona Avenue, Oldham, was sentenced to 27 years after being found guilty of nine offences including rape and indecency with a child.
Roheez Khan, 39, of Athole Street, Rochdale, was sentenced to 12 years after being found guilty of one offence of rape.
Mohammed Shahzad, 44, of Beswicke Royds Street, Rochdale, was sentenced to 26 years after being found guilty of six offences including rape and assault by penetration.
Nisar Hussain, 41, of Newfield Close, Rochdale, was sentenced to 19 years after being found guilty of three offences including rape and assault by penetration.
Naheem Akram, 48, of Manley Road, Rochdale, was sentenced to 26 years after being found guilty of seven offences including rape and assault by penetration.
If you or anyone you know has been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report to Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.