20 men jailed for over 219 years for rape and abuse of girls

West Yorkshire Police has now been able to reveal the outcomes of multiple "extremely complex and sensitive" investigations, after detectives first received a report eight years ago.

Court restrictions were put in place from an early stage to safeguard legal proceedings as several trials took place between 2021 and 2024.

Sarfraz Rabnawaz from Bradford (bottom right) was among those sentenced (Image: WYP) But the restrictions have now been lifted meaning details of three investigations where proceedings are no longer active can now be shared.

All trials were held at Bradford Crown Court.

They related to separate offences of the sexual abuse and exploitation of four teenage girls.

The restrictions on reporting the outcomes of the trials have now been lifted (Image: WYP)

In 2016, an investigation was launched into allegations of child sexual abuse and exploitation of two of the girls.

The first trial began in October 2021.

The outcome was as follows: 

• Shahzad Nowaz, 45, of Halifax, found guilty of rape and making threats to kill, sentenced to a total of 11 years.  
• Nadeem Nassir, 44, of Halifax, found guilty of rape and making threats to kill, sentenced to a total of 11 years. 
• Sajid Adalat, 48, of Halifax, found guilty of rape, sentenced to a total of seven years.  
• Sohail Zaffer, 41, of Halifax, pleaded guilty to rape and supply of a class C drug, sentenced to a total of 42 months.  
• Shazad Nazir, 49, of Halifax, found guilty of rape, sentenced to a total of 11 years.  

The second trial started in January 2022.

The outcome was as follows:

• Nadeem Adalat, 39, of Halifax, found guilty of rape, sentenced to 14 years. He appealed the sentence, increased to a total of 16 years.  
• Asad Mahmood, 38, of Halifax, found guilty of rape, sentenced to a total of 13 years.  
• Mohammed Rizwan Iqbal, 39, of Halifax, found guilty of rape, sentenced to a total of nine years.  
• Vaseem Adalat, 38, of Halifax, found guilty of rape, sentenced to 12 years. He appealed the sentence, increased to a total of 14 years and 6 months.  

In 2016, an investigation was launched following reports of repeated sexual abuse of a "vulnerable young girl".

The first trial began in August 2022.

The outcome was as follows: 

• Amir Shaban, 48, of Halifax, was found guilty of rape, sentenced to 10 years.  

The second trial commenced in October 2022.

The outcome was as follows: 

• Malik Quadeer, 67, of Halifax, found guilty of five counts of rape, sentenced to 22 years.  
• Mohammed Ziarab, 55, of Halifax, found guilty of rape, sentenced to 10 years.    
• Imran Raja Yasin, 45, of Halifax, found guilty of rape, sentenced to 10 years.
• Kamran Amin, 48, of Halifax, found guilty of rape, sentenced to 10 years.    
• Mohammed Akhtar, 54, of Halifax, found guilty of rape, sentenced to 11 years. Akhtar died while serving his sentence.  
• Saquab Hussain, 46, of Halifax, found guilty of rape, sentenced to seven years and 6 months.  

Trial three started in January 2024.

The outcome was as follows:

• Haroon Sadiq, 40, of Halifax, found guilty of two counts of rape, sentenced to 10 years.  
• Shafiq Ali Rafiq, 44, of Dewsbury, found guilty of two counts of rape, sentenced to 12 years.  
• Sarfraz Rabnawaz, 39, of Bradford, found guilty of two counts of rape, sentenced to nine years.  

In 2018, an investigation was launched into the sexual abuse of  a girl. 

This led to a single trial which began in December 2023.

The outcome was as follows:

• Craig Mitchell, 55 of Halifax, found guilty of rape, sentenced to 12 years.  

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Claire Smith of Calderdale District Police, said: "Firstly, I want to acknowledge the sheer courage of the victims and survivors in each of these investigations; not only for having the bravery to come forward initially but also for enduring the criminal justice system and the weight of criminal trials and reporting restrictions in place.

"Due to legal restrictions, it has not been possible to publicise these outcomes until now.

"I welcome the sentences handed to these offenders for the abhorrent abuse these young girls were subjected to, which was heard by the jurors in each trial over the last few years.  

"Tackling child sexual exploitation and abuse is a top priority for West Yorkshire Police and our partners.

"This is an abhorrent crime which has a lifelong impact on victims and survivors.

"I hope highlighting the prosecution of these offenders will serve as a reminder that we will continue to do all we can to put perpetrators behind bars and protect victims and survivors.    
"It’s never too late to report child sexual abuse.

"I encourage anyone who was abused as a child to speak to someone and seek support.

"Reports of non-recent abuse are handled by officers who are specially trained in supporting victims and survivors and dealing with such sensitive cases." 

To report child sexual abuse and exploitation, you should call police on 101, or get in touch with them using the contact options on the West Yorkshire Police website.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger or vulnerable to harm, you should call 999.

West Yorkshire Police supports a national campaign which encourages victims and survivors of child sexual abuse and exploitation to reach out for support.

For more information, visit the force's dedicated page on its website "When you are ready" campaign, or through the national website When You Are Ready.