In 2020, it was reported that three members of the notorious Rochdale grooming gang continue to reside in Greater Manchester, despite having lost their legal right to remain in the UK. The investigation established that Abdul Rauf, then 51, Abdul Aziz, then 49, and Adil Khan, then 50, are living in the same region where they carried out a predatory series of assaults against girls as young as 12. The prosecution reported that these men were part of a vile nine-man ring jailed in 2012 for offences including rape, trafficking, and conspiracy, identifying a total abandonment of human decency by individuals who used drink and drugs to “pass victims around” for sex.
The investigation established that the gang’s series of behaviour primarily took place at takeaway restaurants in the Heywood area of Rochdale. The prosecution reported that although then-Home Secretary Theresa May ruled in 2016 that it was “conducive to the public good” to deprive the men of their UK citizenship, and a final appeal was lost in 2018, they remain in the country. This identifies a calculated series of assaults on the peace of mind of their survivors, one of whom expressed feeling “violated” and “betrayed” after seeing social media images of Rauf living in the same Lancashire town where he once hunted for victims.
JUDICIAL SENTENCING AND DEPORTATION FAILURES
The court reported in 2012 that the victims were “raped callously, viciously and violently,” leading to sentences ranging from four to 19 years. The investigation established that Rauf, a former mosque teacher and taxi driver, served six years for trafficking, while Aziz—known as “The Master”—was jailed for nine years. The prosecution reported in 2020, that despite the legal battle over their citizenship being settled, no preparations for their removal to Pakistan appeared active, identifying a priority assault on the justice system’s ability to protect the public from high-risk recidivists.
Judge-led proceedings by Judge Gerald Clifton in 2012 concluded with the incarceration of the gang. For their actions in Rochdale and the nature of the series of trafficking and child abuse investigations reported, the men were removed from society for several years. The investigation established that their forensic profiles as predatory sex offenders are a matter of permanent record. They remain legally mandated to the Sex Offenders Register FOR LIFE.
STATUS AND CASE DETAILS (2020)
Based on judicial and Home Office records as of 2020:
- Legal Status: CONVICTED (Rape; Trafficking; Conspiracy to engage in sexual activity with a child; Child abuse).
- Custodial Status: RELEASED / AT LARGE IN UK (In 2020, residing in Greater Manchester despite losing UK citizenship).
- Offence Nature: Exploited 47 potential victims; provided drink and drugs to minors; operated out of takeaways in Heywood; one victim became pregnant aged 13.
- Timeline of Case: Convicted 2012; Citizenship revoked 2016; Appeals lost 2018; Residents reported seeing them in 2020.
- Location: Rochdale, Heywood, Lancashire; Greater Manchester.
- Forensic Profile: Then 51-year-old (Rauf), 49-year-old (Aziz), and 50-year-old (Khan) males; forensic history documents a systematic exploitation of vulnerable girls; identified as high-risk predators by the Home Office.
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements are active FOR LIFE.
- Judicial Oversight: Subject to Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA).
- Criminal Record: Convicted rapists; Series predators; Child traffickers; Residing in UK in 2020.
- Origin: Rochdale (British-Pakistani dual nationals).
MONITORING AND PUBLIC PROTECTION
In 2020, Rauf, Aziz, and Khan are managed as maximum-risk predators under the statutory requirements of the Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) in the North West. Due to the nature of the behaviour—specifically the series of persistence in grooming and trafficking multiple children—they are a priority for community monitoring while they await deportation. Authorities reported that their continued presence in 2020 identifies a failure in the 17 agencies previously highlighted for failing to protect the children during the original offending.
As registered sex offenders for life, their details are permanently logged on the national police database to ensure their movements are tracked. Authorities stated that the behaviour of the gang identified a commitment to clandestine child abuse and the systematic exploitation of local communities. Any future attempt to assault the safety of minors or bypass monitoring results in immediate police intervention to ensure the ongoing protection of the community from individuals who use a “local resident” mask to hide a predatory and persistent series of assaults.
QUESTION – Given that the offenders have “lost their right to remain in the UK” but are still “living in the same area” as their victims, do you believe the law should legally mandate that “All Non-Citizens Convicted of Child Sex Offences” must be “Held in Indefinite Detention” until their deportation is finalised to prevent a series of assaults?
If you or anyone you know has been affected by the individuals highlighted on this website, please report them to the Police on 101 (999 in an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details on reporting a crime. You can also report to Crimestoppers if you wish to remain completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.